Shrove Tuesday - What is it?

WHAT DOES THE BIBLE SAY?

The word shrove comes from shrive and the Old English scrifan, meaning “to assign penance,” and is related to the word scribe. Shrove Tuesday was originally a day for confessing sins and receiving absolution before the fasting season of Lent, helping prepare one’s heart for Easter. The holiday, mainly observed by Catholics, Lutherans, Episcopalians, and Methodists, dates back to at least 1000 AD and is also called “Fat Tuesday” or Mardi Gras. It always occurs the day before Ash Wednesday, the first day of Lent, and is often celebrated with foods like pancakes or doughnuts, and in some places, with parades and festivals.

Lent, and by extension Shrove Tuesday, do not originate from Scripture but from later church tradition. Nonetheless, the Bible indicates that fasting was a common practice associated with repentance and humility before God (Joel 2:12-13; Matthew 6:16-18). Though many Christian denominations do not celebrate Shrove Tuesday, Paul taught that believers should not judge others regarding their participation (or lack of participation) in religious days or practices (Colossians 2:16-23). Whether someone observes these days or not, the goal should be to honor the Lord with a sincere heart (Romans 14:5-6; 1 Corinthians 10:31).

FROM THE OLD TESTAMENT

• The Old Testament records that the LORD gave Israel a calendar of appointed feasts and one commanded fast tied to the Day of Atonement (Leviticus 23:26-32). Other fasts arose later and were evaluated by God based on the sincerity of the people’s hearts (Zechariah 7:3-10; Isaiah 58:3-7). These passages show that self-denial can be appropriate when it stems from repentance and humility before God, but the celebrations were never meant to become ritualistic acts. Practices like Lent or Shrove Tuesday may reflect similar intentions of humility, yet they remain extra-biblical traditions, useful only when they focus attention on genuine devotion and obedience to the LORD.

FROM THE NEW TESTAMENT

• Jesus did speak about fasting but emphasized the importance of the heart and never endorsed fasting on a set schedule. Instead, He told believers to fast before God, not to gain approval from others (Matthew 6:16-18). His focus was on sincerity—repentance, humility, and dependence on the Father. Any Lent-related tradition should reflect these qualities if it is to be spiritually meaningful.
• Although Lent is not a biblical tradition, Paul taught that no one should be judged about food, drink, or religious holidays (Colossians 2:16). At the same time, he warned against man-made rules that seem wise but cannot restrain sinful desires (Colossians 2:20-23). These verses imply that Christians can participate in Lent if they do so in a biblically faithful way, but they must do everything with a heart that honors God and be careful not to look down on other Christians who don’t celebrate it.

IMPLICATIONS FOR TODAY

Fasting can be a meaningful and godly discipline when it comes from a sincere heart that seeks to honor the Lord. Scripture shows fasting as a way to humble ourselves, confess sin, and depend more on God. However, the Bible never specifies a particular day or time of year for fasting. What matters most is not when we fast, but the condition of our hearts when we do.

Because of this, traditions like Shrove Tuesday or Lent are not required and do not make participants more spiritual. They might serve as helpful reminders for some, but they can just as easily become distractions from true spirituality when treated as empty rituals. The goal of all spiritual practices is to draw near to the Father who loves and forgives through Christ.

If you fast, let it be an act of worship that shows devotion, not obligation. Use that time to seek God’s will, pray for others, and rejoice in the freedom Christ has given you. True faith is lived out daily through trusting, thanking, and walking with the Lord, who is always near.

UNDERSTAND

• Shrove Tuesday is a day for Christians to confess sins and seek forgiveness.
• Shrove Tuesday is traditionally a time to enjoy rich foods before the fasting of Lent.
• Shrove Tuesday serves as a reminder to prepare one’s heart with humility and devotion to God.

REFLECT

• How does taking time to confess your sins and seek God’s forgiveness affect your walk with Him?
• How can you practice humility and devotion to God beyond special days like Shrove Tuesday?
• How might you use traditions or rituals to deepen your focus on Christ rather than just following custom?

ENGAGE

• How does Shrove Tuesday and similar traditions help believers prepare for spiritual seasons like Lent?
• How can Christians ensure that fasting or religious observances remain heartfelt rather than ritualistic?
• How can we encourage each other to honor God sincerely in personal and communal spiritual practices?