Fat Tuesday

Happy Mardi Gras to all those celebrating, which precedes Ash Wednesday, which is the first day of Lent on the Western Christian calendar. Eastern Orthodox Christians ease into Lent with a week of abstaining from just meat, followed by pretty much everything else, with some exceptional days, until Easter. This year Western Easter is celebrated on 12 April, while Orthodox Easter is celebrated on 19 April. I am still confused by the whole calendar issue, but the point is to celebrate our Risen Saviour, which we celebrate every Sunday in a little way, but now can experience the Paschal fullness. Lent is a time for cleansing, repentance, and catharsis, and should be approached with joy.