Psalm, Shroud, Shrove, and Seal: An Assortment of Questions by Pastor Walter Snyder Q: Whom was David talking about in Psalm 55:14 when he said, "We took sweet counsel together"? A: "We used to take sweet counsel together; within God's house we walked in the throng." These words put the "sweet counsel" in the past. David was betrayed by one with whom he had shared many of his most intimate thoughts. The Psalm evidently deals with the events surrounding Absalom's rebellion. According to the Aramaic Targum, David's betrayer is named as Ahithophel, who later committed suicide. You can read the history behind the Psalm in 2 Samuel 16:15-17:23. Many theologians treat this whole event as a form of prophetic occurrence, where David "stands in" for Jesus, his greatest Son and his true Lord. Ahithophel would be thus a foreshadowing of the great betrayer, Judas. Note that like Judas, Ahithophel after he "set his house in order" went and "hanged himself, and he died." Unlike Judas, whose returned blood money provided a grave, Ahithophel "was buried in the tomb of his father. (2 Samuel 17:23)" Q: What is "Shroud Tuesday"? A: Could it be that you are thinking of "Shrove Tuesday"? This is the last day before Ash Wednesday and the beginning of Lent. This day also marks the height of Mardi Gras and the Carnival celebrations of Latin American. "Shrove" comes from "shrive," an English word that's almost lost in current usage. It pertains to confessing sins and receiving absolution. Shrove Tuesday actually is the third and final day of "Shrovetide," days set aside for making pre-Lenten confession which also gave opportunity for a final round of festivities before the penitential season began. It was also at this time that the things not eaten and drunk during the Lenten season were finished or removed from the home. Since strictly imposed Lenten fasts in bygone days included the removal of oils and other fats, sugar, and meat from the diet, people would try to use them up before Ash Wednesday. Large amounts of food might be cooked and eaten during these last few days. In parts of the world, this meant eating pancakes, since they contain oil, are cooked in it or other fat, and are often covered with the fat and sugar of butter and syrup. When coupled with bacon or sausage, this would comprise a great "farewell dinner" for these beloved foods. Q: What is the seal of confessional? The "seal of the confessional" is a guarantee that sins confessed to a priest or pastor will never be divulged at any other place. Most pastors extend this confidentiality to anything else said in their presence. Some churches have special vows taken by their pastors. This is, for some, the primary reason why they will not speak of someone's sins elsewhere. There's also a practical dimension, since few people would seek counsel from someone with a gossiping tongue. In the Lutheran Church, the "seal" is not only an oath or a promise, it's also a proper understanding of the Gospel: Once a sin is confessed and forgiven, God forgets about it completely. In His eyes, there is no sin. Thus, His servants the pastors likewise cannot divulge or hold against someone that which doesn't exist. To Ask the Pastor, please write Ask the Pastor, PO Box 12, Emma, MO, 65327 or send email to askthepastor@aol.com. Walter Snyder is the pastor of Holy Cross Lutheran Church, Emma, Missouri and coauthor of the book "What Do Lutherans Believe." Scripture quotations, unless otherwise noted, are from ~The Holy Bible, English Standard Version~, © 2001 by Crossway Bibles. Ask the Pastor, © 2002 by Walter P. Snyder. It may be reproduced in totality, including this disclaimer, by anyone, provided that no profit is generated by said republication and redistribution. Translations into other languages should similarly note the United States and any appropriate international copyrights, as well as God's Scriptural injunctions concerning the property of others.