The last few years we’ve really gotten into the Mardi Gras spirit here in the CCM house. We would go all out with Jambalaya or Gumbo, Beads, King Cake and the plastic baby and we would really “Laissez les bon temps roullez!”
This year, I think we are going to take a different approach. Part of the reason is that things are kind of hectic today and I had not planned for a big Mardi Gras meal… instead we are going to go with a (maybe?) lesser known Catholic tradition, and perhaps the basis of those Pancake suppers at Catholic Churches:
Shrove Tuesday.
From Wikipedia:
In most traditions the day is known for the eating of pancakes before the start of Lent. Pancakes are eaten as they are made out of the main foods available, sugar, fat, flour and eggs, whose consumption was traditionally restricted during the ritual fasting associated with Lent.
“To Shrive” is an Old English term which means: to acknowledge ones sins and to be reassured of God’s forgiveness and to get help. In short… sounds a lot like confession! Put in a nutshell… Shrove Tuesday involves fewer parties, more self-reflection and time for prepping your temple (your body) for Lent. And Pancakes. And what kid doesn’t love Pancakes? Sure, it may not be as colorful or fun as Mardi Gras or Carnival (from the word: carnelevare meaning to remove meat) but we could still make it fun by flipping our pancakes in the air or just topping them with delicious toppings… like Nutella. Mmmm… Nutella.
It’s really great reading and learning about different Lenten practices, from the Forgiveness Vespers celebrated in the Byzantine/Orthodox Rites to Hebrew Catholics celebrating Passover Seders. It really makes you see that there are more things that connect (Christ) us than separate us (all the rest), but we seem to only focus on those separations. If you think about it, one of the things that is commanded of us, during Lent, is not to share or talk about our Fast. It’s done that way because you should not make a fast to show how good or devout you are, but rather you are fasting to empty yourself of all of the crap that gets in the way of God. Now, the ironic thing is… most Catholic/Christian bloggers are writing about something having to do with their Lenten Fast. That’s another thing that unites us!
So tomorrow afternoon, the home will be ready for Lent. The Lenten decorations (table runner, simple cross, grapevine wreath) will be out, all songs with “Alleluia” removed from my iPhone (“Lifesong” from Casting Crowns comes to mind) and we will enter into the desert to empty ourselves to be filled by the Lord. (And, let me tell you, this is really hard when it seems everywhere I go there are pastel little bunnies and chocolate eggs and chicks! My challenge right now is trying to teach my littles about Lent with the markings of secular Easter all around us!)
And for you, my dear readers, here is our pancake recipe:
1 3/4 cups All Purpose Flour
2 T sugar
2 t baking powder
1/2 t baking soda
1/4 t salt
1 egg, slightly beaten
1 1/2 cups buttermilk
3 T cooking oil
1. In a large bowl, sift together flour, sugar, baking powder, baking soda and salt. In another bowl, combine egg, buttermilk and oil. Add egg mixture to flour mixture (all at once) and stir just until moistened. (batter will be lumpy.)
2. Cook on a 350 degree griddle, in 1/4 cup increments, for 1-2 minutes on each side or until pancakes are golden brown. Flip when the edges of the pancake are slightly dry and the tops are bubbly.
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Next Tuesday we will hear from Sara and her story of her journey home to Rome.
Please pray for my friend Kim E. On Saturday night, at an American Heart Association fundraiser, she went into Cardiac Arrest and was rushed to the hospital. She is a wife to Tony, and mom to three littles (Isaiah, Elijah and Trinity) and underwent heart surgery 4 months ago.
Related posts:
- Preparing for Lent 2012
- 5th Tuesday of Lent
- Teaching the Teacher Tuesday: Nothing more precious
- Teachin’ the Teacher Tuesday: Education via Childrens’ Programming
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