Now have a good day

In England, today is Shrove Tuesday, derived from Shrovetide and "Shrive", a very old word that means having your sins forgiven. Some folks call today Carnival. From Butter Week (Russia) to Doughnut Day, Pancake (or crepes) Day to Ash Eve (Ireland) to Mardi Gras, also known as Fat Tuesday (French), the day before Lent connects Christians to our ancestors and ancient practices as we indulge in a bit of guilty pleasure before the disciplines of Lent begin. Tomorrow, our eyes turn to prayer, fasting and almsgiving that unite us in solidarity with the poor, ask for pardon for injustices great and small and walk together for 40 days and nights until we reach our destination - the celebration of the Paschal Triduum. 

Our Christian ancestors were way ahead of our current practice of eating veggan, a very 'now' trend. For ancient Christians and practices that lasted a thousand years, this was a way of life during Lent, to cleanse their bodies and their souls by eating lean - a physical cleansing for a fresh start during the season of Easter, springtime, a new beginning.

The days before Lent began meant using up all of the products that Christians would refrain from eating during Lent. Butter, cheese, meat, eggs -- everything derived from animals was used up before Ash Wednesday and particularly on the day before Lent. A carnival or festival took place in cities and towns. Christians literally ate, drank and made merry. And that custom still exists today. But does their rigour of Lent still exist as a way of life for us as it did for them? 

Today is a day of anticipation, of feasting and not fasting, of merry making and enjoying the gifts of life that God has given to us as blessings. So enjoy yourself today and have a good day. Tomorrow will come soon enough. 

Now have a good day, now have a good day.

I am Shrovetide, and now I go my way. 

But oftentimes I have heard say 

That one is loath to part away

That often biddeth "have a good day,"

Now have a good day. 

I take my leave of king and knight,

And earl, baron, and lady bright,

To wilderness I must be dight,

    Now have a good day.

And from teh good lord of this hall, 

I take my leave, and of guestes all:

Methinks I hear Lent doth call, 

   Now have a good day. 

Anonymous, Sixteenth century