Love Those Catholic Friday Suppers!

One thing is for sure, I love being a Catholic. When people talk about the idea of separation of Church and State, that our elected officials need to park their faith at the door, it just never made much sense to me. It’s not like a jacket that I can take off when I go indoors. Faith is a part of your being. Or at lease it should be.

There are teachings within the Church that I struggle with. It would be a lie to say otherwise. One of the “rules” if you will that I don’t question is the role of men and women within the religious orders. Women cannot and should not be priests anymore that a man should be a nun. Just from a purely biological perspective, God created Man and Woman differently. Equally but differently. One can use the argument that Eve was taken from Adam’s rib. She was to be his partner, to stand beside him. Not to rule over him or be beneath his feet. Anyone who thinks the Catholic Faith does not value women really isn’t looking at our relationship with Mary. Anyone who thinks Christians in general do not value women hasn’t paid much attention to Jesus. His first public miracle was the changing of water into wine. Why? A woman told Him to do it. Look at the story of the woman at the well. She was many things – beginning with being a woman, a Samaritan, and an outcast among her own people. Yet Jesus chose her to carry His message to others. Not only does this tell us of Christ’s view of the value of women, but that even the bankrupt among us has value to God the Father. No one is an outcast.

That’s my sermon for today. I love that Hubby and I maintain so many of the old ways of our faith. We dress for Mass. I cover my head when I enter God’s house as a show of respect and modesty. And we don’t eat meat on Fridays.

These practices are not requirement as they once were. However; they each serve a purpose. Mass is a celebration and an invitation to dine at Christ’s table. If the President or the Pope invited you to dinner, would you show up in shorts and flip-flops? I don’t think so, so why should Mass be any different? As for the veil, that’s a personal decision. To physically cover my head when entering the Church is a physical reminder that I am in the presence of God. I believe He is there, and I am in His company. It is humbling and yet joyful at the same time.

When it comes to the dietary restrictions on Fridays, that’s simple. The call to penance on Friday stems from the reality that Christ died for us on a Friday. He suffered because we are sinful. That call has not changed. Look at it this way – you are speeding down the road. When pulled over, you say you are sorry. Still, there is a fine to pay. If Christ can give up His life for us, we should be willing to make a sacrificial gesture in return. The point of no meat on Fridays was so that the whole of the Universal Church would demonstrate a sacrifice together. Why meat? There are those who say it is Flesh, and therefore should be avoided. But it’s more than that. When the practice of abstaining from meat was imposed, it really was aimed at those of means. Poor people rarely ate meat. The Church felt people of means needed more of a visibal reminder. Personally, I wish we did this as a united act today. It extends the family connection of the Church beyond our own table. But that’s just my lay opinion.

Besides, fish suppers are delicious. Especially salmon. These beautifuly glazed salmon made an ordinary Friday extra-speical.

Teriyaki Glazed Salmon with Green Beans
4 (4-oz) Salmon Filets
1 (12 oz) bag frozen Green Beans
1 tablespoon Olive Oil
Kosher Salt to taste
Black Pepper to taste
1 cup Teriyaki Glaze, divided

Heat oven to 425-degrees. Line a rimmed baking sheet with parchment paper for easy clean-up.

Pat salmon dry with paper towels. Rinse green beans under cold water to thaw. Arrange salmon on the prepared baking sheet surrounded by the green beans. Drizzle oil over the green beans, sprinkle beans and salmon with salt and pepper.

Spread about 2 tablespoons of the teriyaki glaze over each salmon filet. Bake in the heated oven until the salmon flakes easily with a fork, about 15 minutes. Remove from oven, drizzle with additional teriyaki glaze if desired.

Delicious served alongside Rice Pilaf for an elegant yet simple supper.

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Alleluia, alleluia.
My sheep hear my voice, says the Lord;
I know them, and they follow me.
Alleluia, alleluia.