Punch-Keys

We we are a store recently and there were a box of jelly filled pastries labeled packzi (which is pronounced Puunch-ki) and yes it is that time of year again.  Actually, Fat Tuesday isn't for another week but like Christmas and Halloween they like to get the season started early.

I'm not sure that I have ever had a real packzi.  I have had jelly filled doughnuts (too many if I am honest about it) but never an authentic Polish made paczi.  I understand that they are very good.  The problem is that I find the entire concept of Fat Tuesday to be a little confusing.

So in Poland they eat packzis.  In New Orleans it is Mardi Gras.  In Rio it's Carnival.  It is a time of gluttony and raucous behavior because tomorrow starts the season of no fun. Now I know that Fat Tuesday traditions have a life of their own.  Many or even most of the people who celebrate at Mardi Gras are not participating in the fasting of Lent.  Any more than all those who eat packzi are.  But shouldn't Lent itself be a celebration.  Even without the warm up gluttony.

The idea behind Lent is that through fasting we draw closer to God.  Do we miss the things of this world?  Sure, but at those times we are reminded to draw closer and to pray.  So when we give up sweets for a time.  Or coffee, or internet or what ever it is, we allow the absence to remind us to draw closer to God.  And that is a cause for celebration on its own.

Note- Usually I include a video clip from Pastor Chris.  By the time I got to the end, the message was different than what I was thinking when I started and now the video just doesn't seem to fit.  So no video today.  I will take another run at it tomorrow.