Pancakes, Shrove Tuesday, and History

A happy Shrove Tuesday to all of you. But perhaps you read that and wonder, "What is Shrove, and why on a Tuesday? And what do pancakes have to do with it? Please allow me to explain for a moment.

For many Christians, the forty days (not counting Sundays) that precede Easter are known as the season of Lent. Lent is typically a season of sorrow over sin, and is marked by remembering what Christ endured for us in His death on the cross, which is called His Passion. As Christ gave up so much for us, many Christians typically "give up" something for Lent, as a remembrance of that sacrifice.

In Christian history, it was desired to enter into this season with a repentant and forgiven heart. Therefore, on the Tuesday before Lent began (a day known as Ash Wednesday), the faithful would go to their priest to confess their sins and hear of their forgiveness in Jesus. This action, known as shriving, is what gives the name to Shrove Tuesday.

But where do the pancakes come in, you ask? History has several different ideas of where they came from. One thought is that, as the many faithful came to confession, there would be so many that you could literally be waiting for hours. Therefore, an easy to prepare meal was provided, with pancakes being one of the easiest. Another tradition says that, since Lent is a time of fasting, many of the kinds of food found in pancakes needed to be out of the house, and so a feast of pancakes would take place on the Tuesday before Lent.

Regardless of the reasons behind it, Shrove Tuesday continues to be a special day in many Christian circles. This goes for even Carrie and I, who tonight joined with many from our congregation to enjoy a meal of pancakes and a time to prepare for the upcoming season of Lent. Blessings as we enter the season of Lent.