Oh What a Beautiful Sunday

Today is Pentecost Sunday. It is also called Whit Sunday, Whitsunday or Whitsun. Pentecost Sunday is a movable celebration in that it falls 50 days after Easter. Since Easter is moveable based in part on Passover as well as the cycle of the moon, all Christian Holy Days linked to Easter are also moveable, such as Ash Wednesday or Good Friday.

Pentecost comes from the Greek Pentekoste, meaning Fiftieth. While Pentecost does follow Easter by 50 days, Pentekoste actually refers to the Jewish Festival of Shavuot, celebrated 50 days after Passover. It is also known as “Feast of Weeks” and “Feast of 50 Days” in Rabbinic Tradition. These references are contained in Exodus. However; a reference to Shavuot itself is found only twice in the books of the Old Testament; in the Book of Tobit and 2 Maccabees. For my Protestant brothers and sisters, the reason you might not be familiar with these particular books is because they were removed from the Holy Books of the Old Testament at the time of reformation and the splintering of the Church into Catholic and Protestant groups. Catholics have several such books in our Bible that do not appear in the Protestant text. Just as Catholics hold to oral traditions while Protestants do not. Personally, I find it interesting that Pentecost, a term not found in Protestant Bibles due to the elimination of certain Old Testament writings, is the name used by a Protestant denomination – the Pentecostals. Pentecostals are known to speak in tongues, another reference to what happened in the upper room on Pentecost Sunday. And I’ll let you in on a little secret – I personally like the way Pentecostals get all fired up with the Holy Spirit. Every now and again, I get excited and mutter and nod to myself in church. That’s usually when my husband whispers “We’re Catholic. We don’t nod like that.” It’s our little joke. He knows my faith runs deep and sometimes I’m just moved to move.

Be it Catholic or Orthodox or Born Again or any Christian group in between, one thing everyone agrees upon is that Christ sent the Holy Spirit to be with His followers. Father, Son and the Holy Ghost (Spirit). The Blessed Trinity. For Catholics, Pentecost Sunday concludes the Easter Season in the church year. Tomorrow marks Ordinary Time.

Pentecost Sunday isn’t just a transition between Easter and Ordinary Times. It marks the beginning of Christianity. Once filled with the Holy Spirit, Christ’s followers venture out into the world, teaching others to repent, to be baptized, and to recognize Jesus Christ as Lord and God.

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Today also happens to be National Brisket Day and National Hamburger Day. I say that’s awesome as tomorrow is Memorial Day. Who doesn’t like a burger to enjoy on the first Cookout Day of the Season? And let’s face it, a Brisket Burger is even more special, don’t you think?

Classic Brisket Burgers
4 (1/3-pound) Brisket Patties
Salt to taste
Black Pepper to taste
Hamburger Seasoning or Mesquite Seasoning to taste
1/2 Red Onion, sliced
1 large Tomato, sliced
4 Lettuce leaves
4 Hamburger Buns
4 slices Sharp Cheddar Cheese, optional
4 tablespoons Butter or as needed
Condiments as desired

Look in the specialty section of your local meat market for Ground Brisket or have the butcher grind some up for you. Using fresh, not frozen, is best whenever possible.

Season patties with salt, pepper and whatever other seasonings you enjoy on a burger. We like a Hamburger Blend for burgers cooked on a grill, Mesquite Seasoning for those cooked in a skillet to bring that outdoor flavor in.

While the grill or skillet warms, let the patties also warm for even cooking. Meanwhile, cut onion in half at the thickest portion. Cut four rings from the center, peel, break apart and set aside. Slice 8 rounds from a large tomato. If necessary, use 2 tomatoes for best slices. Break apart 4 lettuce leaves, rinse and pat dry.

When ready, cook burgers to desired doneness, about 5 minutes per side. Add cheese as desired during the last minute or so of grilling. Brush buns with butter, lightly toast and set aside.

Build burgers as desired with condiments, lettuce, onion and tomato slices. Serve patties straight off the grill and enjoy.

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Lord, send out Your spirit and renew the face of the earth.