Life in Full

Today’s Scripture
Mark 2:18-21

In Ecclesiastes we are told that there is a time for everything. Aficionados of folk will well remember the musical setting of this, "Turn, Turn, Turn."

Today is Shrove Tuesday or Mardi Gras. This is a time for feasting and indulgence ahead of the traditional Lenten fast. Often people will complain about such excess. I am sure I have. Similar to New Years when before we quit drinking, smoking, or eating, we spend a good solid night indulging in these things. But then I remembered today’s passage from Mark and the passage from Ecclesiastes and my thoughts began to go down a different road. We were not made for only fasting, nor were we made for the party life. Instead we were made to experience life in full.

New Orleans is a living example of the richness of life. The vibrant culture and music we associate with New Orleans comes out of a context of poverty and suffering. And Mardi Gras since hurricane Katrina comes out of a similar place. There is plenty of time to worry about rebuilding, but there is also a time to celebrate.
http://www.mardigrasneworleans.com/
http://www.mardigrasday.com/mardigrasinfo.php

In other parts of the world the celebration of this day is focused around the pancake. The humble pancake is a great way to eat food that would be avoided during Lent. And hey, what about having a race too….
http://www.ukstudentlife.com/Ideas/Album/PancakeRace.htm
http://blogs.telegraph.co.uk/politics/threelinewhip/feb/mpsflipout.htm

So this day is a time for fun and celebration. There will be time for fasting and contemplation. There is a time to run a race, and a time for a nap. There is a time for everything.

Enjoy

K