The Gulf Coast is a melting pot of culture. The history of civilization along the Gulf waters is an adventure story filled with legend, folklore, hair-raising antics, and our fair share of bone-chilling mysteries.
Mardi Gras encompasses many cultural, regional, and community traditions. Most are considered family-friendly and are simply one more opportunity to 'throw a party'. Most of the participants and revelers are good old southern culture Catholics and their connected friends, family, coworkers and neighbors.
As a Protestant evangelical, I've always been somewhat intrigued and [honestly] a bit humored by Mardi Gras. Growing up in a Baptist preacher's home, the 'spirit' of Mardi Gras was always presented as a pagan holiday, with hedonistic practices generated direct from the pits of hell and the devil himself. In New Orleans and Mobile -- that depiction might not be far from accurate! (( lol ))
That said, how should Christ-followers respond to Mardi Gras? What would Jesus do -- as the popular fad-bracelet beckons us to ask? Would Jesus party with the culture? Would He encourage us to be 'in' the world, but not 'of' the world as scripture suggests?
In Pascagoula, the decision to recognize and celebrate Mardi Gras has become a Coastal community tradition and is fully recognized as a local 'holiday', complete with days 'off' from certain business and industry and school closings in order to accommodate the parties, family gatherings, and of course -- the parades. Thousands will line the parade routes, mostly through downtown main streets and centers of commerce, crying the familiar "throw me something mister" in hopes that beads, candy, and goodies will be flung in their direction. The 'take' [bags of candy, strands of purple/gold necklaces, and other treats] is half the fun of the event!
Of course, underlying all the festivities is the often misunderstood history. The roots of Mardi Gras.
Most families who simply want a fun-filled venture for the family, a haul of candy for the kids, and an enjoyable break from the toils and troubles of life, will find just that: a fun-filled break and lots of entertainment for a day.
Then, there are those who seek any and every opportunity to throw a party, binge on their favorite elixir of choice, and fall prey to whatever lusty temptations may follow. And, there's plenty of that going on!
At day's end, my observation is that we are all simply human. We are born with a nature that seeks to comfort, entertain, and indulge in self. It's all about 'ME'.
The common reveler is looking for the party. And he or she will surely find it. The good ole boy [or girl] that's workin-for-a-livin and simply needs to blow off some steam, rather than punch the boss in the pie-hole, will surely find some well-deserved R-n-R.
Then, there's the 'Christian' in the culture. The Christ-follower who simply seeks to be 'salt-and-light' in this fallen and sin-sick world. Those of us who love Jesus and are seeking to love our neighbor as ourselves (again, we're all self-seekers) ... are caught in a doctrinal/philosophical dilemma.
Do we 'love' the sinner and 'hate' the sin? Do we join 'in' with the world [culture] and all the while exhibit our 'not-OF-this-world' witness? How does that look? How do our 'pagan' friends feel when we're hanging out at their party?
Jesus said to the 'culture' in the Gospel of Matthew:
"Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’ This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments.” (Matthew 22:37-40)
How simple is that? Jesus cuts right through the 'law and the prophets', and goes straight to the New Testament 'L'-word: LOVE.
If we are truly 'in love' with Jesus; and if we truly do 'love our neighbor' --- then, why in the world do we get caught up in the trappings of what's 'right' and what's 'wrong' with culture? Remember, we are all selfish. We all seek to make 'me' happy. Pagans, and Christians.
If we [Christ-followers] are truly seeking His Kingdom first, and want to see His Gospel preached to the ends of the earth, there must be a Gospel of LOVE that supersedes our trivial 'law-and-order' debates over culture and pagan practices.
My prayer for Mardi Gras Monday:
Lord, help me today to love You more than I love myself. Help me to honor Your Word by loving You more, by loving and providing for my family more honorably, and by serving my fellow man more willingly as I am able. May Your Kingdom come and may Your will be done in earth as it is in Heaven.
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