Saturday’s Ember Days of Summer

Hello and welcome to the final Ember Days of Pentecost or Summer for this Church Year. We’ve talked a lot about days of old, the how’s and the why’s of Catholic teachings, observations, beliefs and faith. Sometimes people get those confused – that belief and faith are the same. Belief is knowing something. Faith is following without knowing – faith requires trust.

I find it interesting that today’s first Daily Reading comes from Sirach. The Book of Sirach is Old Testament, and therefore is a Jewish work, originally written in Hebrew. It is the largest of the Books of Wisdom from antiquity to have survived. It is considered by many to be a collection of ethical teachings. It should be noted however; that in the final Jewish Canon, Sirach was excluded. Yet Sirach was read and quoted as authoritative from the beginning of the rabbinic period.

This generation today seems to find themselves is a difficult time when it comes to ethical and moral teachings. I suppose the same can be said of every generation. Each generation faces new challenges and debates over what is right and what is wrong. While the Bible can be a source for guidance, even some of the accepted behaviors contained in scripture, by today’s moral and ethical standards, are wrong. Multiple wives, the treatment of women, owning slaves are examples of acceptable behavior at that time which have long since been rejected. Yet there are fundamental truths contained in scripture that will always be true. Love one another as you love yourself, and as Christ loves you. Forgive one another. Care for one another.

So often I hear people say if I don’t look out for myself, no one else will. If I don’t take what I feel is rightfully mine, someone else will. Think for a moment, if we could change that around. If we all cared for one another, put others first, gave in abundance to one another, there would be no need to put ourselves first. Look around – has selfish behavior made this a better world? If anything, this world has gotten uglier and more filled with hate. Hate is the Devil’s answer to love. I want no part of that.

Rejoice in what the Lord has made. Fill yourself with His glory that you might be a light onto others. If you feel the need to be selfish, think how great is the reward in Heaven for those who sacrifice themselves for others now. It’s a win-win situation.

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On the secular calendar, today is the first Saturday of the month. While we don’t necessarily follow it, today is Play Outside Day. And as long as we’re hanging around outside, why not make some finger foods right on the grill? Who doesn’t like Nachos? Now if you’ve got one of those fancy grills (like the one Kiddo gave to Hubby for Father’s Day a while back) then you might just have a side burner that is perfect for browning up the meat.

If not, start in the kitchen or better still, set up a camp stove outside. The rest is a snap. Enjoy!

Chorizo-Beefy Nachos on the Grill
1/2 lb Chorizo
1/2 lb Ground Beef
1 can whole Black Beans
1 can whole Pinto Beans
2 Roma Tomatoes
3 Green Onions
1 (11 oz) bag Tortilla Chips
2 cups Mexican Cheese Blend
1 cup sliced Nacho Jalapeno Peppers
1/2 cup Sour Cream
1/4 cup Milk
Nacho Cheese Dip, optional

Note: This would be equally amazing made with a pound of Ground Bison.

Place 2 sheets of heavy-duty foil, at least 20 inches long, on top of each other. On the longest side, fold both pieces of foil together and fold over 3 times to combine the sheets to make one huge piece of foil. Fater folding the foil together, open the non-folded sides to reveal one giant sheet with the fold in the center. Spray the whole foil pack with cooking spray and set aside.

In a cast iron skillet over medium heat, brown chorizo with ground beef, breaking apart as the meat cooks. Drain well.

While the meat cooks, drain the black beans and pinto beans. Set aside. Cut tomatoes in half, seed, dice and set aside. Trim green onion roots, slice and set aside. If you want to add more heat, chop up a few hot peppers to serve on the side. Heat gas grill to low heat.

Place tortilla chips in the center of the foil. Scatter half the meat over the chips, followed by half the Mexican Shredded Cheese, then the beans. Layer on green onions, tomatoes and Nacho Jalapenos.

Finish with remaining meat, and a nice sprinkling of cheese on top.

Pull up the long sides of the foil together above the chips, fold twice to seal, leaving room above nachos for steam to expand. Roll the sides of the foil up so that the packed is sealed, with room for expansion.

Place on the grill over low heat. Cook for about 10 minutes. While the nachos grill, thin sour cream with milk. Place in a squeeze bottle and set aside. Pour about a half cup of the Nacho Cheese Dip into another squirt bottle, set aside.

Note: Placing thined sour cream and cheese dip into baggies will also work.

Remove nacho foil pack from grill, open carefully (steam will escape), squirt on the sour cream and cheese sauce (optional). Serve straight from the packet and enjoy.

Note: Be sure to cook over LOW heat on the grill. Cooking over too high of heat will result in chips burning on the bottom. Be sure to leave room around the nachos when sealing the fiol to allow steam to circulate to melt the cheese and heat everything.

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The precepts of the Lord give joy to the heart.