Giving, Not Giving Up

We all had fun on Shrove Tuesday, but maybe there’s more to Lent than fasting, sacrifice and penitence.

Today is the first Sunday in Lent. For some, Lent is approached with dread, like it is the one 40-day period of the year when we can’t have any fun. Think back to this past Tuesday, the day before Ash Wednesday. We call it Mardi Gras (Fat Tuesday). In other words, party today; do penance tomorrow.

Mardi Gras is also known as Shrove Tuesday, a day associated with fun, food and feasting. It’s the day you round up everything you may be required to give up during Lent, like meat, eggs, sugar and butter, and you Google “Give me a recipe calling for meat, eggs, sugar, and butter.” You then enjoy “savory meatloaf with sweet glaze” or “sausage and egg breakfast casserole with a sweet maple glaze.” Pair it with a nice Shiraz or Pinot Noir, and eat like there’s no tomorrow.

Lent is when we fast and do penance. NFL usually means football, but this time of year it stands for “No Fun Lent.” You don’t even look like...