DID you toss your pancakes on Tuesday, March 4? How many did you drop?

For Christians, Pancake Day is called Shrove Tuesday.

It is the last day before the fasting and abstinence of Lent, which starts on Ash Wednesday.

Lent lasts for 40 days (not counting Sundays) and is time of self-examination and denial leading up to the glory of Easter Day.

Traditionally Christians used to fast on Fridays – eating fish rather than meat and other rich foods.

This tradition was extended to include Lent, a time when no meat, fat, eggs or other rich or sweet foods were eaten.

All of those foods would be eaten up before Lent started. Which is why in some countries Shrove Tuesday is called “Mardi Gras” – French for “Tuesday Fat”.

The image that comes to mind of “Mardi Gras” is of the Carnival in Rio – full of noise, colour, beads and fun. Doesn’t sound much like the preparation for something solemn.

And here the hint is in the English name – “Shrove” Tuesday. Shrove comes from “shriven” which means absolution.

On the Tuesday before Lent, Christians were reminded to confess their sins, admit the things that damage their relationship with God, and then they would be forgiven.

Have you ever hurt someone, then said sorry and been forgiven? The weight off our minds when that happens is incredible.

To realise that a relationship is mended, that there is no anger or hurt left, that we are free from guilt. We feel light and happy and full of joy.

Which is why Christians are in a carnival mood after they have said sorry for the wrong and hurtful things they have done.

So Pancake Day – Shrove Tuesday – Mardi Gras starts with a recognition of our faults, then follows forgiveness and then there is joy.

Plus Christianity is a practical religion – so all the food that we are not going to eat during Lent has to be used up, and what better way to use up fat, eggs and sugar than making pancakes?

The day after Shrove Tuesday is Ash Wednesday, and that is when the hard work of Lent begins.

A time of reflection, when we decide to make space for reading, for study and prayer, to deepen our relationship with God.

In our very busy and stressful lives when most of us are pulled in lots of different directions, sometimes our relationship with God is put on the back burner.

But we have help. People are sociable beings, we like working together, and we find things easier if we work in groups.

Anyone who has ever tried to lose weight – it is much easier if you have other people around you doing the same thing, people to share successes with and sympathise over failures, people who understand the struggle.

In Lent, Christians study together at Lent courses. If you haven’t tried one, give it a go. It can be great fun, and may surprise you.

May we all have a meaningful and transformative Lent. P.S. I only dropped one pancake!

Antonia Tregenza

Licensed Lay Minister

Holy Cross Church