Happy Fat Tuesday!

How could I let the only day in the year with the word Fat in it go by uncelebrated?  In case you aren’t from New Orleans or fluent in French you might not know that Mardi Gras is actually the translation of Fat Tuesday.  In New Orleans tonight plenty of good Catholics and other lovers of good food are going to be eating high on the hog because tomorrow is Ash Wednesday and the beginning of the Lenten season when same said good Catholics are supposed to give up decedent eating and do some good fasting and denying during Lent.

When I lived in London I learned that today is called Shrove Tuesday or Pancake Day when the believers would eat really fattening pancakes.  In Brazil today is Carnival and we know what a wild party that is.  Holland, Germany, Sweden and Italy are all also eating up a storm today for tomorrow they pray and start the fasting.

I am not sure how many people actually fast these days, although I do know many people who give up one particular sinful food during Lent, such as chocolate or soda.  That seems a lot easier than fasting during all daylight hours and only eating a small evening meal.

As a Presbyterian there is nothing I am required to give up.  Thank goodness because I am running out of things to give up in the food category.  I could give up playing games on my phone, I-pad or computer if I was looking for some penance.  But I am not looking for atonement.  What can I do that would be better for the world than not playing a game?

Having a holiday to eat as much as you can one day before you don’t eat much the next days almost seem like you are cheating the system.  Wouldn’t it be better to just eat thoughtfully and thankfully all the time?  I’m sure those theologians amongst you might send me some comments on this.

But no matter what you believe or celebrate or give up if you are enjoying some King Cake today please have a slice for me.  See my giving up started long ago and will have to continue well past 40 days.  I’m working to get to Skinny Saturday and Svelte Sunday.  I’ve had one too many Fat Tuesdays in my life.