2021 Daily Devotion - Day 370
The Legend of the Lenten Pretzel:
Legend has it that the modern pretzel actually has its origin in the ancient Lenten celebration. The established church at the time did not allow the eating of meat or dairy products during the observance of Lent. As such, people would make bread from a simple mixture of flour, water, and salt. As the legend unfolds, it is purported that a monk in a monastery was looking for a way to make use of the leftover scraps of dough that didn’t fit into the loaf pans. He wondered if he might be able to use it to bless the hungry children to whom the monastery ministered.
His idea was to roll the dough scraps into long thin ropes, which he would then shape into the image of hands folded over the heart in prayer. He called them “pretiolas” (which means “little rewards” in Latin). He then distributed them to the children in exchange for a recitation of a memorized prayer; explaining the pretzel’s shape and reminding the children to always pray and trust God.
While the legend has been around for centuries, there is no factual, historical evidence for it. Even so, the pretzel has become a traditional Lenten treat around the world.
So now, every time we see a pretzel, it needs to remind us of Lent and prayer. We always need to be about the vital work of being humble before God in prayer through our Lord Jesus Christ.
Joel 2:12-13 NRSV
Yet even now, says the Lord, return to me with all your heart, with fasting, with weeping, and with mourning; rend your hearts and not your clothing. Return to the Lord, your God, for he is gracious and merciful, slow to anger, and abounding in steadfast love, and relents from punishing.
Pray with me:
Heavenly Father, as we are now in the season of Holy Week, it becomes even more necessary for us to pray. Let us take the words of Joel to heart and come to You in humility; needing rescue. Do a new work in us during this very holy week. In Jesus’ name. Amen.
Yours because of Him,
Pastor John R. Steward
Senior Pastor
Mount of Olives Church
His idea was to roll the dough scraps into long thin ropes, which he would then shape into the image of hands folded over the heart in prayer. He called them “pretiolas” (which means “little rewards” in Latin). He then distributed them to the children in exchange for a recitation of a memorized prayer; explaining the pretzel’s shape and reminding the children to always pray and trust God.
While the legend has been around for centuries, there is no factual, historical evidence for it. Even so, the pretzel has become a traditional Lenten treat around the world.
So now, every time we see a pretzel, it needs to remind us of Lent and prayer. We always need to be about the vital work of being humble before God in prayer through our Lord Jesus Christ.
Joel 2:12-13 NRSV
Yet even now, says the Lord, return to me with all your heart, with fasting, with weeping, and with mourning; rend your hearts and not your clothing. Return to the Lord, your God, for he is gracious and merciful, slow to anger, and abounding in steadfast love, and relents from punishing.
Pray with me:
Heavenly Father, as we are now in the season of Holy Week, it becomes even more necessary for us to pray. Let us take the words of Joel to heart and come to You in humility; needing rescue. Do a new work in us during this very holy week. In Jesus’ name. Amen.
Yours because of Him,
Pastor John R. Steward
Senior Pastor
Mount of Olives Church
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