Hey there fellow traveler through these strange times. Tonight is Mardi Gras 2022. Mardi Gras - of course, means “Fat Tuesday” and it’s a tradition that goes by many names and forms all across the Christian world. The gist of Mardi Gras is to celebrate indulgent hedonism before starting the more aesthetic season of Lent with its traditional focus on fasting, almsgiving (offering and gifts), and prayer in preparation for Palm Sunday, Passion Week, Good Friday, and Easter (Resurrection Sunday).

Maybe you grew up with Lent and have your “go-to” thing that you do each year. Maybe you didn’t grow up with it and you’re thinking “Lent?”.

Just to make sure we’re all on the same page - the word “Lent” comes from a really old form of the word “lengthen” because this time of year is when we really start to notice how much longer the days are getting again. Traditionally, believers used the weeks leading up to Easter to dig in and grow spiritually. In the earliest days of the church, there was great concern that new converts, wherever they might live and worship, deserved to all hear the same truth and teaching. This time of year was also the time when it was easiest for families and communities to run short on resources - so a spiritual focus was a good way to redirect people and make the best of a tough situation.

These days, generally speaking, most of us struggle with abundance more than lack when it comes to food - and I think there have been plenty of things in our lives inspiring us to give and pray.

But you know what I think people are starving for? I think we’re hungry to feel deeply connected to our faith in a way that heals us, restores our souls, refreshes our spirits, deepens our love for God, God’s work in our lives, and God’s invitation for us to help others find more of these blessings in their lives. And unlike whatever your favorite food is, there is no downside to us feeling full of everything on that list.

So - here’s my challenge to you for Lent this year. Let’s do that. Let’s satiate our spiritual hunger and slake our godly thirst for more of all those gifts and blessings in our lives this Lenten season. Don’t worry if you’re not sure how to do that. I’ll be posting once or twice a week between now and Easter with some more short, but hopefully encouragingly provocative articles. I have some ideas already - but am hoping to grow more in these ways with you.

For now though - for this first day of Lent (or this first Wednesday of March if you prefer) here are a couple of questions to ponder.

• A long time ago I had a freshman ask, “I know God loves me because He’s theologically obligated. But does He like me?”

• If you were gifted a spiritual spa-day, what activities would you fill your day with?

• What if - like the first disciples - what if in six weeks - on Easter morning we could feel filled with more joy?

Whatever your plans are for tomorrow - I encourage you to dare dig in and take a bit of time to mull at least one of those questions over. Imagine yourself somewhere lovely - like this place below if you like as you reflect.

Talk to you again in a few days!