Fat Tuesday Run-for-Fun

I enjoyed the annual Pancake Day Race at Liberal today. The woman who won ran a good race. Yet, I was most impressed with four young women who did not win special accolades. Instead, they ran for the fun of running and participating. The excitement and joy on their faces and their clownish attire made this event for me. Fat Tuesday or Shrove Tuesday is the day before Lent in the Christian year. Lent is a traditional time to fast from certain foods, thus Fat Tuesday was the last opportunity to eat really well before the fasting began. Actually, the word Lent comes from lengthen, a reference to the lengthening number of sunlight hours as spring arrives. Christians likely borrowed seasonal celebrations from other cultures in order to emphasize Easter, the celebration of the resurrection of Christ. The resurrection of the Son [of God] mirrors the strengthening of the sun. Such nature-centered roots for our Christian heritage helps establish the Christian faith in the midst of the seasons of the earth. I am excited to see the promise of spring in the lengthening days and the hope of resurrection in Christ. To run with joy is certainly a great way to get ready for Lent.