Saint Joseph and the 4th Sunday in Lent

Today we celebrate the Feast Day of Saint Joseph, Husband of Mary. Within the Catholic Church, this feast has the rank of Solemnity. To rank a feast as a Solemnity is to give it the highest importance. Solemnity Feasts celebrate a mystery of faith or an important event.

Unlike other less monumental feast days, the observance of a Solemnity Feast begins with a vigil on the evening before the actual date of the feast. This is a reflection of our Jewish Roots. Just as Jewish observations are sundown to sundown, so it is with Solemnity Feasts.

The Feast Day of Saint Joseph is more than just acknowledging the man who stepped into the role of Husband and Father. It is an acknowledgement of the importance a good man plays in the dynamics of a family. Joseph was the provider, the protector, the instructor; example of what it means to be a good husband and more importantly, a good father. For better or for worse, fathers lead by example. Joseph understood the value of an honest day’s work, accepted the role of father, and answered God’s call willingly. He did so with love in his heart and faith at his helm. As a father, Joseph gave to his son the most precious gift any man can give, and that is the gift of self. Fathers are called to be present in the lives of their children, and this is especially true in the lives of their sons.

Saint Joseph not only reminds us of the importance of fatherhood, but that a child need not be your flesh and blood biologically speaking to need you as a father. Fatherhood is a state of grace. One that we need to encourage men to honor and embrace.

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Today’s Feast of Saint Joseph also happens to fall on a Sunday, the fourth Sunday in this year’s Lenten Season. And it’s National Poultry Day. I really considered making a fancy chicken supper to honor Saint Joseph. But then I realized, he was a simple man, with simple tastes. The best way to celebrate Saint Joseph is with a simple meal. Enjoy!

Instant Pot Jalapeno Lime Chicken Tacos
1 Lime
1/2 teaspoon Sugar
1-1/2 lb boneless Chicken breasts
Lime spice Blend to taste
2 large Jalapeno Peppers
1 tablespoons Bacon Drippings
2 tablespoons Taco Seasoning
1/4 cup Chicken Stock
2 Roma Tomatoes
1/4 Red Onion, diced
1 cup shredded Iceberg Lettuce
10 (6-inch) Flour Tortillas
1 cup shredded Pepper Jack or Mexican Cheese
3/4 cup Sour Cream

Cut lime in half for juicing, squeeze juice into a small bowl. Add sugar to the lime juice, set aside.

Cut chicken into bite-size cubes. Season generously with the Lime Spice Blend, toss to coat. Set chicken aside. Stem jalapeno, cut into rounds and set aside.

Set the Instant Pot to sauté setting. Add bacon drippings to the insert to melt. Lift insert, swirl to coat the bottom evening in bacon drippings. Sauté chicken bits for about 6 minutes, stirring frequently, just enough to brown lightly. Remove insert, let pot cool for a few minutes.

Scatter sliced peppers over the chicken pieces. In a measuring cup, whisk taco seasoning with chicken stock. Add lime juice. Pour over the chicken.

Lock lid; close pressure-release valve. Set pressure-cooker to MANUAL; HIGH, 8-MINUTES. While the chicken cooks, dice the tomatoes and onions; shred the lettuce. Set aside until ready to serve.

Let pressure cooker naturally release for 10 minutes, then release any remaining pressure manually. While the pressure releases; warm the tortillas for serving.

Heat a skillet over medium heat. Place tortillas in the pan, one or two at a time and warm for about 30-seconds per side. Serve Jalapeno Lime Chicken with warmed tortillas and top as desired with taco fixings of tomatoes, lettuce, onion, cheese and sour cream. Enjoy.

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The Lord is my shepherd; there is nothing I shall want