Mardi Gras and Giving Something Up for Lent

By -
In case you haven't been paying attention, Mardi Gras is this Tuesday.  There will be a myriad of celebrations throughout North America and most likely in your own town.  Fat Tuesday, Mardi Gras, is the traditional day to eat rich and fatty foods before the fast of Lent begins on Ash Wednesday.  It has given birth to the magnificent and wild festivals we now associate with this day. 

Quick digression - this year, Second Presbyterian Church is hosting a Shrove Tuesday (another name for Mardi Gras) jazz concert.  If you are in town, you should definitely check it out.  It is guaranteed to be an amazing concert and fantastic way to commemorate the beginning of Lent (see the ad below). 

As I am sure you are more than painfully aware, Mardi Gras also marks the last day to enjoy whatever activity, food or drink you have decided to "give up" for Lent.  Giving something up for Lent has taken the place of what used to be a complete fast in preparation for Holy Week, Good Friday and Easter Sunday (when the fast was traditionally broken). 

In recent years, I have decided not to give something up for Lent.  I confess that I am horrible at keeping my "fasts" when I do decide to give something up.  I inevitably eat the chocolate, drink the caffeine, or quickly jump on Facebook "just this once".  Then I place some wacky guilt trip on myself because of my weak will power. 

I know.  It all sounds rather pathetic, but it is true.  Maybe you can relate. 

In light of my inability to follow through on my fasts, I decided instead of giving something up for Lent I would follow the advice of others by adding something to my spiritual disciplines during Lent's 40 days.  I must say that I have found a tremendous amount of joy in this practice.  It has helped me focus on the meaning of the season of Lent and prepare my spirit for Holy Week.  I am not suggesting that everyone give this a try.  I am simply providing an alternative to those who, like me, have a proclivity for breaking fasts before their time.

Beginning Ash Wednesday and continuing throughout the season of Lent, the blogs on this page will be focused on the season and will include something you might consider adding to your own journey toward the cross.  Have an amazing Mardi Gras and hope to see you at the Ash Wednesday service on Wednesday, March 9, 7-8 p.m. in the sanctuary (if you aren't around Indy, find a service close to you).


Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Persistence is her name (a poem)

By -
Persistence "firm or obstinate continuance in a course of action in spite of difficulty or opposition." Persistence is her name. She stands when it would be more convenient to sit. She sits when others wish she would move. She moves when action is demanded. She speaks because her voice shall not be silenced nor stolen yet again. Persistence is her name. She has birthed nations. She has ended wars. She has toppled empires. She has nursed change. Persistence is her name. Mercy is found in the milk of her breast. Empathy is seen in the tears on her cheek. Justice is felt in the sweat of her brow. Righteousness is coursing in the blood in her veins. Persistence is her name. Difficulty will not stop her. Obstacles will not stand. Opposition will not cause delay. Trouble will not linger. Persistence is her name. Nevertheless, she persisted; for Persistence IS her name. — bshivers
Read more

Sermons - Signs and Symbols: Faith

By -
Image
Signs and Symbols: Faith/Anchor This is the fourth sermon in a Lenten Sermon series titled "Signs and Symbols of Faith" at Northminster Presbyterian Church in Indianapolis, Indiana. This one focuses on Faith as an Anchor. It was preached on Sunday, March 10, 2024. The text of the sermon can also be found below. Second Lesson : Ephesians 2:1-10 You were dead through the trespasses and sins in which you once lived, following the course of this world, following the ruler of the power of the air, the spirit that is now at work among those who are disobedient. All of us once lived among them in the passions of our flesh, following the desires of flesh and senses, and we were by nature children of wrath, like everyone else. But God, who is rich in mercy, out of the great love with which (God) loved us even when we were dead through our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ—by grace you have been saved— and raised us up with (Christ) and seated us with him in the heavenly p...
Read more

Sermon - Signs and Symbols: Names

By -
Image
Signs and Symbols: Names This is the second sermon in a Lenten Sermon series titled "Signs and Symbols of Faith" at Northminster Presbyterian Church in Indianapolis, Indiana. This one focuses on Names. It was preached on Sunday, February 25, 2024. The text of the sermon can also be found below. Third Lesson: Genesis 17:1-8, 15-20 (p. 13) When Abram was ninety-nine years old, the Lord appeared to Abram, and said to him, ‘I am God of the mountains; God of the high places; God Almighty; walk before me, and be blameless. And I will make my covenant between me and you, and will make you exceedingly numerous.’ Then Abram fell on his face; and God said to him, ‘As for me, this is my covenant with you: You shall be the ancestor of a multitude of nations. No longer shall your name be Abram, but your name shall be Abraham; for I have made you the ancestor of a multitude of nations. I will make you exceedingly fruitful; and I will make nations of y...
Read more