THE DAY BEFORE ASH WEDNESDAY
IS KNOWN AS
SHROVE TUESDAY, MARDI GRAS, CARNIVAL DAY etc...
Mardi Gras = These two French words mean Fat Tuesday. In Anglo-phone languages it is known as Shrove Tuesday. ("shrove" is an Old English word meaning "to repent"). It is just the day before Ash Wednesday, the beginning of Lent in the Catholic Church.
History:
In mid February the ancient Romans celebrated the Lupercalia, a circus like festival not entirely unlike the Mardi Gras we are familiar with today. When Rome embraced Christianity, the early Church Fathers decided it was better to incorporate certain aspects of pagan rituals into the new faith rather than attempt to abolish them altogether. Carnival became a period of abandon and high spirits that preceded the penance of Lent, thus giving a Christian interpretation to the ancient custom.
But the focus now seems to be on "Doing anything to enjoy life", ... "Anything is permitted on this day"...
No doubt, the focus of the world media is on external fun, revelry and frolic.
The question can rightly be asked: "How can the celebrations connected with CARNIVAL DAY be seen in relation to the beginning of Lent, a season of penance and repentance. Does it help the Christians to enter devoutly into the experience of the ASHES and appropriate and personalize the genuine spirit of Christian discipleship.
In more precise words, shall we ask the challenging question?
"Do the carnival celebrations, as we have them now in different parts of the world, help or hinder us in the pilgrimage of our Christan life?"
Let us pause to reflect, discern and pray...
''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''
vmalpan@gmail.com
.JPG)