...a Time of Healing

ASH WEDNESDAY….a Time of Healing

Restoring right relationships with self, God, one another, and creation is an act of love that is central in all faith traditions however it is expressed; it is the work of a lifetime and essential to peace and harmony in all creation.  

For Christians, Ash Wednesday, the beginning of Lent, is an invitation to rethink our relationships with a renewed desire to transcend our ego and live more lovingly with one another. Traditionally the practices of prayer, self-denial, and support of the poor and marginalized seeking justice mark this sacred season. These 40 days are observed in commemoration of the 40 days Jesus spent in the wilderness preparing for his public ministry and for us they are a preparation for the celebration of the great feast of Easter, the living out of our mission of love.

For Jews, the ten days of Awe culminating in Yom Kippur are the holiest days of the year, a time of fasting, prayer and reflection focusing on the sins of the past year and seeking forgiveness.

Imam Johari Abdul-Malik describes the 5 steps to forgiveness: admit your wrongdoing, detest it in your heart, commit to turning away from it, make restitution and finally ask for God’s forgiveness. Self-forgiveness is an important part of this process of atonement.

Sweat lodge ceremonies, spiritual practices of Indigenous people, are sources of healing, wisdom and gratitude where one purifies the mind, body and soul in order to restore right relationships with creation, our brothers and sisters and the Creator.

Lent is a time to strengthen your relationship with the God of Jesus, a time to reflect on where you are and where your heart is calling you to grow.  God loves you just the way you are but loves you too much to leave you there. The choice is yours.

-Sister Ann Marshall, csj

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Shrove Tuesday - Pancake Tuesday

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As a child, I was unfamiliar with Pancake/Shrove Tuesday and the traditions surrounding it, but my best friend and her family invited me to their church for supper, where I was able to experience the festivities firsthand. Of course, there were the pancakes but beyond the food, was the sense of community and camaraderie that comes with sharing a meal together.

Events like this can provide us with an opportunity to come together and celebrate our shared values, while also acknowledging the importance of reflection and repentance. And, you experience firsthand a chance to form connections with others in the community. As a child I did not understand the significance of “Pancake Tuesday” only that it was a lot of fun and delicious! Many friends I know still ask - WHAT IS SHROVE TUESDAY?

Shrove Tuesday, also known as Pancake Day, is a significant day in the Christian faith, marking the start of the Lenten season. It is a day of celebration and preparation, where people indulge in rich and indulgent foods before the start of a period of fasting and sacrifice.

The origin of Shrove Tuesday can be traced back to medieval times when people would confess their sins and receive absolution, or "shrive" themselves before the start of Lent. It was a time of preparation for the penitential season, where Christians would make sacrifices, give alms, and focus on their relationship with God.

As the custom of confessing one's sins before Lent waned, the focus shifted to food, and Shrove Tuesday became associated with indulging in rich foods. Pancakes, in particular, became a traditional food as they were a way of using up ingredients like sugar, butter, and eggs that would be forbidden during Lent. Pancakes were also seen as a symbol of unity, as they could be made easily and quickly, bringing people together to celebrate and enjoy each other's company.

From a faith perspective, Shrove Tuesday is an important reminder that we need to take the time to reflect on our relationship with God and prepare ourselves for the Lenten season. It is a time to confess our sins, seek forgiveness, and commit to making positive changes in our lives. The indulgent foods we enjoy on this day should not distract us from this central message; rather, they should serve as a reminder that we need to make sacrifices and give up our worldly desires in order to focus on our spiritual well-being.

Shrove Tuesday is a day of celebration and joy, but it is also a time for reflection and repentance. As we indulge in our pancakes and other treats, let us take the opportunity to reflect on our relationship with God and commit to making positive changes in our lives. Let us remember the true meaning of this day and the importance of preparing ourselves for the Lenten season.

-Connie Rodgers, Guest Blog