The term Mardi Gras/Carnival brings to mind excessive eating, drinking and partying in New Orleans, and around the world. It is the season that begins after the Epiphany, and culminates on the Tuesday before Ash Wednesday. In French the words, mardi gras, translate to Fat Tuesday, and carnival comes from the root word carnal or of the flesh. For centuries people thought it would be a great idea to go on a total, carnal binge before the 46, long days of Lenten abstinence. The thought is, “Let’s eat the fattiest foods, drink till we pass out, etc. and in general break as many commandments as we can, before we have to shape up”. Then, for the next weeks, some of these same revelers will “give up” something they enjoy, as penance, thinking that will please God. Following the fast, the festivities pick up where they left off. Does anything about this picture strike you as crazy? It should! Call me nuts, but I can’t imagine that this behavior is gonna put a smile on God’s face. And I, for one, want to see Him smiling! Even as a kid, whenever I did something that I knew would not be pleasing to my Mom and Dad, I got a sick feeling. Now, whenever those opportunities to venture into carnal activities arise, and they do, that same kind of feeling kicks in, but this time I know it’s the Holy Spirit sending out a warning. God wants us to have fun, and enjoy life, but not when excesses lead us away from him. So go ahead, put on a mask, and have a King Cake, but remember to keep God always at the center of your fun. “And do not bring sorrow to God's Holy Spirit by the way you live. Remember, he has identified you as his own, guaranteeing that you will be saved on the day of redemption.” Ephesians 4:30.
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