Greetings. What are you giving up for Lent. I grew up in Northern Ontario. For a few years I was in charge of a Salvation Army Sunday School in a place called Chaput Hughes (just outside of Kirkland Lake). For a 13 week period we held self denial. During that time we encouraged the children to go without something and the money saved would go toward missions. One 10 year old girl went without sugar and salt in her oatmeal every day for 13 weeks. Now that is a sacrifice.
     Our Catholic friends at one time gave up meat during lent. Many still do. Many give up sweets for lent. But giving up something during this period must be of a conviction for a cause. Someone once said "if it's wrong during lent, it's wrong all year". Giving up certain foods or sweets that will benefit the needy is good for them and you.
On March 4th we celebrate Shrove Tuesday or Pancake Tuesday.
     Shrove Tuesday (fat Tuesday, Mardi Gras or fetter Dienstag) is the day before Ash Wednesday, the beginning of Lent. Since Lent is a time of abstinence, traditionally of meat, fat, eggs and dairy products (one wonders what is left) Shrove Tuesday menu was designed to use up the fat, eggs and dairy products left in the kitchen and storeroom. It is also a feast to prepare for the time of 'famine' in the desert. In some cultures, it is traditional to eat as much as possible on Shrove Tuesday, sometimes up to 12 times a day.
     In many traditions, Lent is a time for cleaning, preparation for Easter and spring. First your soul, then your kitchen, then the rest of the house was cleaned and purified of the past's years accumulations. Old clothes are mended, and new clothes purchased at this time of year. In the Ukraine, houses are whitewashed inside and out during Lent. In this way everything was made ready to face the season of Salvation and rebirth. Traditions of 'spring cleaning' stem from this religious observance.
Now you know the rest of the story…..
     As we prepare our hearts and souls for Easter and the meaning of Easter let us all seek God for cleansing and cleaning to rid ourselves of all that will bring us harm. Christ was crucified on a CROSS for us all. Make the time of lent a time when we each in our own way make preparation and follow the final steps of Christ as He prepares to pay the ultimate sacrifice.