The liturgical season of Lent begins this year on March 1 with the observance of Ash Wednesday. But it’s not too soon to begin thinking about how we, as followers of Jesus in the 21st Century, can approach this holy time. It’s fair to ask the question: what are we supposed to be doing during Lent in the first place? Let’s kick around this question.
We are told the word “lent” is related to the word “spring”. Thus, the Lenten season has some parallels to what’s happening with the weather. Lent is a time of transition. Just as spring is that time of transition between winter and summer, Lent (when we approach it properly) can move us from the dark, cold moments of life into the warmth and brightness that God offers humanity in Jesus the Christ. We could call Lent a spiritual, spring cleaning.
The first liturgies of Lent will be on Ash Wednesday (March 1). Our services at St. John’s will be at Noon and 6pm. But there is a fabulous, time-honored tradition on the evening before. At 6pm on February 28, we will host a Shrove Tuesday Pancake Supper. What in the world is that?
The word “shrove” comes from the word “shrive”, which basically means to “scrape”. The concept of shriving is to scrape away our sins, the things that separate us from God, so that we can become the people God is calling us to be. This practice can be aided by the sacramental rite of Reconciliation of a Penitent (see page 447 of The Book of Common Prayer), also known as Confession or Penance. The clergy of St. John’s are available for Reconciliation.
But wait just one second, Fr. Curt, what does this have to do with pancakes? That’s a great question.
According to multiple sources, the Christian Church during the Middle Ages, as part of the shriving process, placed restrictions in Lent on followers’ diets, foods like meats, fats, eggs, dairy, and fish. So, before Ash Wednesday, folks would hold parties to get rid of (feast on) all these foods, which is why Shrove Tuesday is also known as Fat Tuesday, or … wait for it … Mardi Gras! That’s French for Fat Tuesday! Just ask Rev. Pam!!!
As I’ve mentioned on Sundays, during Lent I will be holding a forum on The Lord’s Prayer. This will take place in the Guild Room from 9:15am to 10am each Sunday.
During the 8am and 10:30am liturgies on the First Sunday in Lent, we will begin with The Great Litany (see page 148 of the BCP).
From the Second Sunday in Lent through the Fifth Sunday in Lent, we will begin each service by using A Penitential Order (see page 351 of the BCP), including the recitation of The Decalogue, also known as the Ten Commandments (see page 350). By using the liturgical tools available to us in the gift we know as The Book of Common Prayer, we position ourselves to know God better, and grow more deeply into the full stature of Christ.
My prayer for all of you this Lent is that you embrace and engage the spiritual resources available to us at St. John’s Episcopal Church, so that we can be nourished and transformed, as well as empowered to better serve Saginaw and beyond.