Psalm 51:1-17
There are many traditions associated with today. Depending on how far back, and how "pagan" you want to be, the traditions of Mardi Gras, or Shrove Tuesday, are as varied as the people who celebrate this day. There is one thing in common, though: the want to relieve one's self of the things that are not good for them.
The term "Mardi Gras" literally means Fat Tuesday. It's the day before Lent begins and is the day when households are supposed to clear all of the fat they have stored. The differences are what is considered fat. Whether it's the fat in cooking lard, oils, nuts, meats, or whatever is considered fat, a household is expected to rid themselves of these things and not use them for the entire Lenten period.
The other thing cultures would do is seek out a priest of some sort to forgive them for their personal sins. In the medieval English traditions these priests were called shrives. One would see a shrive somewhere between sunset on this day and sunrise tomorrow. Once their sins were forgiven they would pledge to live without sin for the entire Lenten period.
It's on this day, then, that people were expected to cleanse all aspects of their personal lives in order to more intently focus on their relationship with their God. If at all possible, find some time today to do the same. Ask yourself what things are getting in the way of you being a more healthy person. Seek for the answers to how you can be a better person to those around you. Pledge to grow in your relationship with your God.
The Psalm for the day is a good prayer to say for today. If you click on the link above a window will open so you can read that Psalm. I rarely do this, but today is a different day, so...I strongly encourage you to open up that Psalm and say that prayer to start your Lenten time of reflection.
Create in me a clean heart, O God, and put a new and right spirit within me.
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