A Season of Joyous Penitence and Sacrifice

Today is Fat Tuesday, Mardi Gras to Christians who observe the season of self-denial that follows. The traditional “eat, drink and be merry” attitude makes all the more sense given what comes next:

Metaphorically speaking, tomorrow we die.

Ash Wednesday is the first day of Lent, a word that means “40,” to recall the number of days Jesus spent in the desert preparing for his death and resurrection. This is a time for devout Christians of several denominations to give up favorite foods, to pray more faithfully and to help those who have less.

Yet many Christians consider this penitential season, climaxing with the joyous feast of Easter, as their favorite time in the church year.

“Exercises of self-denial make you spiritually stronger,” says Frederica Mathewes-Green, author of “Facing East” (HarperSanFrancisco, 1997). “Not that there’s anything wrong with beloved food. We feast like crazy at Easter.”

Customs vary somewhat, as Mathewes-Green discovered when she converted from Catholic to Episcopalian to Orthodox Christianity, a spiritual journey recounted in her book. Roman Catholics, Anglicans and Lutherans all observe the season. The most visible sign is a cross of palm ashes applied to the foreheads of the devout by a priest or minister, who reminds them, “You are dust and to dust you shall return.”

In some Eastern Orthodox churches, Lent started on Sunday with the Forgiveness Service, in which the devout were anointed with oil as they asked one another to forgive any offenses.

Still, the message remains the same. In memory of Jesus preparing to make the ultimate sacrifice, modern day Christians are called to renew their commitment to live his teachings.

Observance of the season began in about the 4th century, and from earliest times it has been the period when converts prepare to be baptized at Easter.

Traditionally it has been a penitential period, but lately acts of self-denial are being put to practical work. Parishes promote such programs as Operation Rice Bowl, which encourages Christians to eat a meal of only rice once each week and donate to a homeless shelter or other social service program the money that could have gone to a more complete meal.

“There’s less fasting for fasting’s sake, more fasting in solidarity with the poor,” said Lawrence Cunningham, chairman of the department of theology at Notre Dame University.