Today is Shrove Tuesday, and many will be feasting on pancakes, with many delightful tasty extras. What is your favourite filling? Lemon juice and crunchy sugar is hard to beat, but I could cope with caramel sauce (from Brittany) or fudge and nut paste from Brazil.
But the original plan on Shrove Tuesday was to clear the store cupboards of all tasty foods in preparation for the 40 days of Lent. The secret is in the name - Shrove Tuesday - so that serious Christians would take time to be 'shriven' - that is to confess their sins and be given the assurance that forgiveness was available, because of the death of Jesus.
St. Paul taught his Christian friends about the need for us to turn away from the old life, so that we could turn to Jesus more profoundly. As Julian Henderson reminded us over the Church Weekend, in this we cooperate with the Lord.
'So put to death the sinful, earthly things lurking within you. Have nothing to do with sexual immorality, impurity, lust, and evil desires. Don’t be greedy, for a greedy person is an idolater, worshipping the things of this world.' (Colossians 3.5)
Having had the clear out of the junk in our lives, the aim is that there is more space for Jesus to shine in us, and produce his character in us. 'Put on your new nature, and be renewed as you learn to know your Creator and become like him. (Colossians 3.10)
That will be a lifetime's task - but today is a good to day to start on that great habit.
Best wishes,
Richard
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