A Lenten Carnival

As many of you know, today is Ash Wednesday in the life of the Church.  What you may also know is that in many places across the globe yesterday was Mardi Gras or Fat Tuesday.  Being from New Orleans, LA, I know Mardi Gras very well.  Mardi Gras in New Orleans is not just a one day event.  It is a season of festivities commonly referred to as Carnival Season.  While the history of Mardi Gras consists of both religious and secular ties to politics, satire, and protest, at its best I believe the season results in a vibrant environment of joy and celebration.  This celebration gives us the best that life has to offer: friends, family, food, art, music, dance, and other forms of self-expression.  What a testament to the human spirit!

I find it fitting that Carnival Season ends the day before the season of Lent begins. What better way is there to begin a period of retreat, reflection, reconciliation, renewal, etc. than after a heightened experience of excitement?  We are more likely to notice the significance of this shift from a time of grand celebration to a time of humble reflection when the two are seemingly quite different.  Mind you, though, Lent is still a time of joy.  This joy, however, should be one that focuses on our person growth in the midst of others working toward the same thing.  Lent is a time of solitary solidarity, if you will.  By this, I simply mean that if we can spend much of these next forty days uniting with others, then I believe we will find that individual growth we seek.  Of course, I recommend doing these communal things in addition to quite reflection, scripture devotion, and other individual means of spiritual formation.  The Catholic Church teaches that during Lent we should make more conscious efforts to give alms, to pray, and to fast.  See today's gospel reading (Matthew 6:1-6, 16-18) for Jesus' take on these things.  Regardless of your faith tradition, I challenge us to find time to give alms or aid to those in need, pray for one another, and fast from our selfishness.  If we can pursue these things with peace and reconciliation in our hearts then we just might find better versions of ourselves blossoming in time for the Easter Season.

This morning, as I reflected on what I would include in today's post, one of my favorite Lenten songs came to mind.  I invite you to listen to the song and reflect on the lyrics as you begin your season of solitary solidarity.  God bless.

40 Days by Matt Mahr
Lyrics

Family Solidarity at Mardi Gras!

May we be ever-faithful, ever-mindful, and ever-joyful.