The colors of Mardi Gras—purple,green and gold—in order signify
justice, faith and power.
"I heard that Mardi Gras has something to do with Lent. How can that be?"
Mardi Gras means 'Fat Tuesday' in French. For those who fasted by severely restricting their diets, the Tuesday before the beginning of Lent was the last chance to 'eat-up' until Easter. They celebrated with food in a big way. The secular world has seized upon this day as an excuse to 'party hard' . . . much like the commercialization of Christmas."
"Why should I observe Lent? What purpose would it serve?"
It is a call to prepare for Easter. During this period of serious reflection, you spend time in self-examination and spiritual redirection. It is a time for you to acknowledge your shortcomings and to seek forgiveness for where you have fallen in your faith. Lent offers you the opportunity to seek spiritual renewal through the practice of prayer and self-denial.
"Why ashes [on Ash Wednesday]?"
The people of the Old Testament used ashes as a sign of mourning (Esther 4:1-3, Job 42:6, Jeremiah 6:26). Even today, ashes are considered a symbol of death and of nothingness. Ashes remind us of our helplessness and dependence on God. They remind us of our need to mourn our sinful nature, to feel contrition, and to repent so that we may receive God’s forgiveness. They are a symbol of sinfulness and of our commitment to spiritual renewal.
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