A Beautiful Catholic Friday

Sometimes, when I talk about my Catholic roots, I feel as though I come across as bragging, full of my own sense of rightness. Believe me when I say that’s not what I intended. I love being a Cradle Catholic. It is a part of my very being, and it fills me with such joy, I cannot help but to want to share that with the world.

Years ago, we had a neighbor who one day confessed to me that she had misjudged and misunderstood me. We were building homes side-by-side. Every time something was added or finished in our home, I was excited to share and invited her over. She said that in the beginning, she thought I was full of myself, bragging about what we have. She said it was only after she got to know me that she realized I was sharing – look what we have, let me share my built in barbecue by cooking you something. I have a natural desire to share anything good in my life with everyone. Just as I keep those sad, painful moments between me and God. (I would say to myself, but God knows everything and sees all, so there are no secrets with Him.)

I do love my Catholic Faith. I cannot imagine being anything else. And that, again, comes from experience. I’ve tried on other faiths. For me, God speaks through the Church. It’s a language my soul understands, even longs for. Yet I also know that the Catholic Church can be difficult. It’s not a warm and fuzzy institution. Just check out the Catechism of the Catholic Faith sometime. It’s all the rules and regulations, dogma and doctrine if you will that defines our faith. And it reads like a long-winded legal brief, not the sort of reading you would keep by your bedside table unless you enjoy reading encyclopedias and dictionaries for fun.

I admire the discipline required to be a devout Catholic. Notice I say admire, since I do not consider myself to be that disciplined. I begin my day thanking God and offering up the day of His creation to him. But I do not pray the rosary every day, or practice the devotions of First Friday, First Saturday and so forth. For those imperfections, I know I will do penance come my judgment day.

One of the biggest differences between Catholics and Protestants when it comes to salvation is God’s grace. Protestants believe that once you accept Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior, that’s it – you are saved. Catholics believe that it takes good works to receive God’s graces. It’s not enough to say I believe, but that we must then become His hands, His tools. And that it is through Good Works that we are saved. After all, it is not us, but rather the Holy Spirit working through us to do God’s will.

Once upon a time, a very long time ago, I had a friend who was Jewish. (Please, don’t take this the wrong way – it’s meant to be humorous). I told him that Jews have their mothers to make them feel guilty, while Catholics have the Church. We believe in penance. Abstaining from meat on Fridays is old-school penance.

The problem with this old-school practice is two-fold. First off, most of us can now afford meat, so it’s really not sacrificing the luxury it once was. And frankly, meatless meals or seafood dishes can be delicious – which really doesn’t make them sacrificial. However; the fact that thinking of Friday in the form of a mini-Good Friday allows us to focus on the sacrifices of the Cross. And to feel both guilty and grateful that Christ paid the ransom we never could have.

That’s my lecture for today. However God chooses to speak to your heart, I pray you take the time to be still and to listen. Knowing God is a joyful experience that cannot be compared. Peace be with you, His peace I leave you.

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Lemon Caper Broiled Tilapia
Lemon Caper Sauce
½ cup Zesty Italian Salad Dressing
2 tablespoons Capers
1 teaspoon Parsley
1 Lemon
Black Pepper to taste

Pour salad dressing into a bowl. Rinse capers, add to the dressing. Mince parsley, add to the mix. Whisk in the juice of a lemon, season with pepper. Set aside until ready to use.

Tilapia
4 Tilapia Filets
4 tablespoons Zesty Italian Dressing
Black Pepper to taste

Heat oven to broil.

Pat fish dry. Brush with Italian Dressing, season with pepper. Place fish on a broiler pan, place under the broiler. Cook for about 4 minutes per side, or until flakey.

Plate filets, drizzle with sauce, serve and enjoy.

Roasted Garlic Rosemary Potatoes
4 medium Red Potatoes
1-1/2 tablespoon Olive Oil
1 Garlic Clove
1/4 teaspoon Kosher Salt
1/2 teaspoon Black Pepper
1 teaspoon Crushed Rosemary
Rosemary Sprigs for garnish

Heat oven to 375-degrees. Cover a baking sheet with foil, set aside.

Scrub potatoes, cut into wedges and place in a mixing bowl. Drizzle with olive oil, set aside.

Peel and finely mice garlic, scatter over the potatoes. Season with salt, pepper and crushed rosemary. Toss to coat well.

Transfer seasoned potatoes to the prepared baking sheet. Spread out evenly. Place in the oven to roast for 45 minutes or until golden brown and tender. Shake potatoes half-way through roasting time for even browning.

Place potatoes in a serving bowl. Garnish with fresh rosemary for a splash of color; serve and enjoy.

Arugula Green Salad
2 cups Arugula
1 cup Green Leaf Lettuce, torn
1/2 Red Onion
2 cups Grape or small Tomatoes
½ cup Walnuts, chopped
Balsamic Salad Dressing as desired
1/4 cup crumbled Feta Cheese, optional

Rinse Arugula, spin dry and scatter in a large salad bowl. Rinse lettuse, tear leaves into bite-size pieces. Spin dry and scatter over the Arugula.

Cut onion in half froom root to tip. Reserve half for another purpose, peel remaining half. Cut into thin slivers, scatter over the greens.

Cut tomatoes in half, scatter over the salad. Drizzle with dressing, toss to combine. Finish with walnuts and Feta as desired.

Serve with potatoes and zesty fish for a beautiful supper and enjoy!

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Give thanks to the Lord of lords,
for His mercy endures forever