What is Shrove Tuesday, more commonly known to us in this day and age as Pancake Day?
Shrove Tuesday is the last day of Shrovetide. It is the day set aside to ask God for forgiveness for all of our sins. Shrove Tuesday is our last feast day before Lent, so we need to use up all the fat, sugar and unleavened flour in our store cupboards or pantries.
Unlike many other days in the Christian calendar this day moves, it is however always 47 days before Easter Sunday.
So why Pancakes?
“What makes a simple pancake so special for it to be used as a food for worship?” I hear you all ask.
Well it’s the ingredients and what they mean.
- Eggs – Creation
- Flour – The Staff of Life
- Salt – Wholesomeness
- Milk – Purity
Nothing much more gluttonous as those pancakes dripping in butter and syrup or whatever your favourite topping is.
We must however thank God for his gracious gifts.
Would you all join me in a prayer?
Almighty Father in Heaven, today as we reflect upon our sins, we ask for your forgiveness as we need to ask you for help in overcoming the sinful behaviour we have. Almighty father as I pray I would like for you to know that we regret not calling upon you when times got hard and we sinned, you are our flickering flame in the dark. We think we can live as men on this earth forgetting that we are not of this earth but we are your chosen ones . Heavenly Father please forgive us in Jesus’ name Amen.