The word “shrove” comes from an English word “shrive,” which means to give absolution for someone’s sins by way of Confession and doing penance. Thus “Shrove Tuesday” was named after the custom of Christians to be “shriven” or seeking to be absolved of their sins before the start of Lent on the following day, Ash Wednesday.

The custom of having pancakes to eat derived from the idea that because Lent was to be observed as a time of reflection and self-discipline, there could be a more joyous time beforehand when people could use up the available food materials, such as flour, eggs and fats, to make pancakes as a celebration. The custom has been observed for hundreds of years around the world. The day is often described as “Pancake Day.”

Praise God for His mercy as this verse affirms, “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” 1 John1:9.

Blog No.526 posted on Monday 12 February 2024