Various regions of Germany observe Fasching at different times, but it generally begins just after Christmas – when we celebrate Christ’s arrival on earth -ends. It calls to mind Christ’s words to the Pharisees when they asked why His disciples did not fast. “Can the wedding guests fast white the bridegroom is with them? As long as they have the bridegroom with them, they cannot fast.”
In the German Fasching celebration, we feast with joy and remember that God is with is – in His Church, in His sacraments, in the Eucharist. In the leaner days of Lent to follow, when we honor the suffering and death of our Lord, the memory of Fasching is a reminder that even in dark, hungry times, God is with us always.
