It is probably not at the top of most peoples' popular celebrations. Even the name sounds archaic and odd.
But "Shrove Tuesday" will be observed by millions of Christians today in a variety of ways, around the world.
"Shrove" is the past tense of the word "to shrive." "To shrive" is to present oneself to a priest for confession, followed by the assignment of an act of penitence, and the reception of absolution.
While we maintain the term "shrove" for this day, I doubtmany people today will be presenting themselves to a priest for confession, committing themselves to a penitential act, or hearing priestly words of absolution.
It is more likely, in our culture that, if Shrove Tuesday is acknowledged at all, it will be observed by eating pancakes.
The practice of eating pancakes on Shrove Tuesday relates to the fact that Shrove Tuesday is the day before Ash Wednesday which marks the beginning of Lent. Lent, the forty day period leading up to the celebration of Easter, is traditionally a season of abstinence and particular spiritual discipline.
In preparation for Lent, Shrove Tuesday is the last chance for culinary indulgence. On this day foods that were viewed as unsuitable for the frugal season of Lent were consumed. Pancakes were eaten because they contain fat, butter and eggs considered too rich for the abstinent season of Lent.
Because of the dietary practice associated with the day, Shrove Tuesday is also known as Mardi Gras from the French for fat (gras) and Tuesday (Mardi). Pancakes are cooked to use up the fat in the house in preparation for the lean days of Lent.
Shrove Tuesday may seem quaint and old fashioned in our current context. But, properly understood, Shrove Tuesday remind us of an important reality.
Shrove Tuesday is a reminder that we grow spiritually more by subtraction than by addition. The central act of the spiritual life is letting go. The way forward always lies on the path of surrender.
Confession, penitence, and absolution, are not merely medieval abuses imposed by a rigid ecclesiastical hierarchy upon naive and unsophisticated people.
Confession encourages us to examine our lives in search of those practices and habits we have accumulated that cause us to become less conscious of the presence and action of love in our lives.
An intentional act of penitence is an opportunity to make a course correction signifying our intention to wake up and live more consciously, acknowledging the deep mystery at the heart of all existence.
Absolution is an audible reminder that, whenever we intend to return to the Source of our existence and live in the light of love, our hearts do open and our consciousness of the divine presence is renewed.
In a culture in which we are increasingly conscious of the importance of nutrition and the impact of food on our bodies and our environment, Shrove Tuesday provides an important metaphor for the spiritual journey. The things to which we cling have an impact upon our lives. The practices of self-examination and surrender have the potential to open us to deep new ways of being.
Shrove Tuesday could be the beginning of a journey back to health for our spirits and our bodies.
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Christopher Page is the rector of St. Philip Anglican Church in Oak Bay. He writes regularly at: www.inaspaciousplace.wordpress.com
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