When foods were given up for Lent, a cook didn’t have many options. I picture little kids crying out their distress over the stuff that was left. Maybe a cook created pretzels out of desperation!
It is thought that the common ‘knotty’ pretzel was first designed by monks in 610. It supposedly depicted people in the then common way to prayer, arms crossed to the opposite shoulder. The three openings symbolized Father, Son and Holy Spirit.
Lent sure was different back then. Limiting kitchen staples like eggs, milk and fat were a hardship. Now when we give something up for Lent we have a million other options to eat. One can safely say we aren’t suffering quite as much as our forefathers.
Does that make a difference?
You tell me.
Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have gained access by faith into this grace in which we now stand.
And we boast in the hope of the glory of God. Not only so, but we also glory in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope. And hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured out into our hearts through the Holy Spirit, who has been given to us.(Romans 5:1-5, NIV)
Prayer – Father, help us to see true suffering for what it is, for Christ who really suffered on our behalf. Amen
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