February 20, 2007 - Shrove Tuesday

“You have mercy on all, O Lord, and abhor nothing You have made. You look past the sins of men that they may repent.  You spare them all because You are our Lord, our God.”     (Introit for Ash Wednesday – Wisdom 11:24-26)
   
In the name of Jesus.  Amen.  Shrove Tuesday, the day before Ash Wednesday, is Absolution Tuesday.  It comes from the old English word “shrive” which points to the absolution which is received in Holy Absolution.

That's the opposite of the way we normally think of today.  We think of today as Mardi Gras – an opportunity to indulge ourselves, to drink and party all we want, until we have to repent for our sins on Ash Wednesday.  Shrove Tuesday is not the day before I start my diet, when I eat all I want before the diet begins!

That's not good for you, is it?  It's much more sensible to start your diet right away.  Why eat food that you just have to lose the weight for afterward?

The Lord has brought us through Pre-Lent to prepare us for Ash Wednesday.  He has taught us to repent of our sins, to turn from our wickedness, and to call upon Him for mercy.  Repentance is not a “tomorrow” thing!  Today is the day to repent and be forgiven by Jesus!

Forty-eight days from today, when Jesus rises from the dead, He says to Mary Magdalene, “I am returning to my God and to your Father, to my God and to your God,” (St. John 20:17).  The Father is merciful and forgiving, not because you are you or because I am me.  He is merciful and forgiving in Christ, on account of Christ, and for Christ's sake.  He is our God, because of Christ.   

Jesus spares us – He saves us – because He is our Lord and our God. 

God hates sin.  He hates your sin.   He hates those who practice sin.  That's us!   Don't wait for tomorrow to turn from your sin.  Turn today.

Put on your sackcloth today, with confidence and certainty – He hates nothing that He created.  He sent His Son to die for sinners –  to die for you.  He has spared you again in Christ.  He is merciful.

Shrove Tuesday is “Forgiveness Tuesday.”  It's Pre-Lent boiled down to one day – one day to mourn for your sins and pray for mercy.  Then, after your sins have been taken away, fix your eyes on Jesus, the Author and Perfecter of your faith, who is moving to the Cross during Lent.  In the name of Jesus. Amen.

Reflections for Pre-Lent were written by The Rev'd George F. Borghardt III (revborghardt@higherthings.org) from St. Mark Lutheran Church in Conroe, TX.