By Pastor Leah Fintel Krotz, Trinity Lutheran Church, Bruning
It’s that season again.
No, I’m not referring to baseball, golf, or track season. Not tax season. Not even flu season, although that’s been a doozy this year.
Instead, I’m referring to pancake feed season!
It’s that time of year when you can enjoy pancakes and all the trimmings in church basements, fire halls, and community centers, stuffing yourself several times each weekend if you’re willing to travel a bit. I haven’t made it to a pancake feed yet this year, but I need to remedy that soon.
Have you ever wondered why pancake feeds are such a custom this time of year? Believe it or not, it has to with a church tradition.
Shrove Tuesday, the day before Ash Wednesday, is the traditional day to eat pancakes, because during the forty days of Lent, Christians would give up rich, tasty foods such as butter, eggs, sugar, and fat. Shrove Tuesday was the last chance to eat those things – and what better way to feast than with delicious pancakes?
In England, pancake races are often held on Shrove Tuesday. The story behind this is a woman who lost track of time and was still frying pancakes when the church bells rang, calling everyone to church. She was so flustered that she ran to the chapel with her skillet still in her hand!
Many Christians do still observe the traditional Lenten disciplines of fasting, giving to those in need, and prayer. Some choose to fast from something they truly enjoy, such as chocolate or social media, and others might choose to add something instead, such as daily Bible reading or doing acts of kindness.
The reason for any of these Lenten disciplines is not to draw attention to ourselves, but rather to imitate and draw closer to Jesus as we remember his suffering on our behalf. Lent is meant to be a time of reflection on our sinfulness and need for a Savior.
“But he was wounded for our transgressions, crushed for our iniquities; upon him was the punishment that made us whole, and by his bruises we are healed.” ~ Isaiah 53:5
