Saint Thomas Aquinas and Blueberry Pancakes

In our parish, shortly after the secular New Year, the Church hosts a series of lectures. These generally lead up to a recruitment of parishioners interested in small faith groups to study Church teachings on a particular subject during Lent. Last year the series was on the Real Presence of Christ in the Eucharist. This year the focus is on End Times and the teachings of the church.

One of the points brought out by our speaker was that the Catholic Church is unique among Christian denominations in that our faith, while rooted in scripture, is not limited to Biblical Text. There is the acceptance of oral tradition, the teachings of Church Fathers and Doctors of the Faith as well as a vast collection of writings throughout the ages. It is this broader mindset that allows science and faith to co-exist. The idea that the world was created in six days is not bounded to the concept of six twenty-four hour days. These are God’s measurements of days, not man’s understanding of time. God has no beginning and no end, and therefore is not limited to a narrow definition of time.

Today we celebrate the Feast Day of Saint Thomas Aquinas, a Dominican Friar, Priest, Theologian and Doctor of the Church. He was born in 1225, an Italian who attended both the University of Naples and the University of Paris. Saint Thomas Aquinas was called home in the year of our Lord 1274.

On his feast day each year, I like to share some of his most insightful quotes. We (Catholics) each have our favorite saints. Saint Thomas is among my personal favorites because his words are not only relevant in his time as well as today, they cause me to think.

Beware of the person of one book.

While injustice is the worst of sins, despair is the most dangerous; because when you are in despair you care neither about yourself nor about others.

Fear is such a powerful emotion for humans that when we allow it to take us over, it drives compassion right out of our hearts.

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Today is also Blueberry Pancake Day. If this recipe seems familiar, you’d be right. Remember those awesome pancakes I shared not that long ago? Same recipe, only this time we’ve added blueberries. Oh my yes!

I-Hop Copy-Cat Buttermilk Pancakes
Nonstick Spray as needed
1-1/4 cups Flour
1 Egg
1-1/4 cups Buttermilk
1/4 cup Sugar
1 heaping teaspoon Baking Powder
1 teaspoon Baking Soda
1/4 cup Vegetable Oil
1 teaspoon Vanilla
Pinch Salt
1 cup Blueberries
Butter, soft for serving
Syrup, warmed if desired for serving

Heat a griddle to medium-low heat. Spray lightly with cooking spray. Spray spatula with cooking spray.

In the bowl of a stand mixer, combine flour, egg, buttermilk, sugar, baking powder, baking soda, oil, vanilla and a pinch of salt. Beat until smooth. Take care not to over mix the batter or the pancakes may be tough instead of light and fluffy.

Ladle the batter onto the griddle, forming 5-inch circles. Scatter blueberries by the handsful over the pancakes. Increase temperature to medium, cook until the edges appear slightly dry and the underside is golden, about 2 or 3 minutes. Flip pancakes, continue to cook another 2 minutes or until golden. Repeat until all the batter is used.

If desired, plate as pancakes are ready or hold, stacked on a serving plate, in a warm oven. When ready, serve with plenty of butter and syrup.

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Come, let us bow down in worship;
let us kneel before the Lord who made us.