Make the Most of Monday

One thing I’ve got to say about the Catholic Church is that we are reminded through memorials, and special feasts that each of us was created for a purpose. Sainthood is the ultimate goal of every Catholic. Saints are not perfect, but they do place God above all else.

While Catholics are encouraged to reach for Sainthood, it’s okay if we stumble and fall. He loves us anyway. Today is the Memorial of three saints. They all knew Christ personally. They loved Him and He loved them. Most of us are familiar with Martha, Mary and Lazarus. We know of the resentment between Martha and Mary for their choices in life. We are familiar with Lazarus, called out from his tomb. His resurection to life was only a taste of what was to come. But what are the lessons of these stories?

In the town of Bethany not far from Jerusalem lived a man named Lazarus and his two sisters, Mary and Martha. By nature, the sisters were as different as night and day. Mary thrived on being silent, spending time in reflection and contemplation. Martha was a whirlwind, constantly active, doing, planning, executing and keeping things organized. She was a natural homemaker, skilled in the kitchen and took on the role of hostess. Martha was also an intense worrier. It was important that the house run smoothly, that when guests arrived things be just so. Often Martha worked herself into a tizzy over every little detail. The differenced between the sisters came to a head one day when Jesus came to dinner.

As Martha hurried about, she realized that she was doing all the heavy lifting while her sister was content to sit at the feet of Jesus and listen to his teaching. Martha symbolized the active life within the Church – the Corporal Works of Mercy.

For I was hungry, and you gave me to eat; I was thirsty, and you gave me to drink; I was a stranger and you took me in.
Matthew 25:35

No doubt we will be judged by what we do for others. However; Mary’s choice was not to do, but to be still. To listen, and to pray. A life of prayers and contemplation on the Word of the Lord is essential in cultivating a close and intimate relationship with Jesus. While we need to do for others, we must also make time to sit at His feet, be still and listen with our hearts. It’s not always easy to strike that harmonious balance between deep prayer and apostolic zeal. It’s important to cultivate both an active life of service and one of prayer. Harmony, balance these are the lessons of Mary and Martha. I so often find myself more Martha than Mary. What about you?

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Who doesn’t love a big, half-pound burger? Have you ever tried to grill up a half-pound burger? It’s not easy. But quarter pound burgers grill up in no time. Slap two on a bun, and wow – burger heaven!

Double Burger Your Way
Double Burger
2 lbs Ground Chuck or 80-20 Ground Beef
Salt to taste
Black Pepper to taste
1 cup Iceberg Lettuce, shredded
1 large Tomato
12 Hamburger Dill Chips
4 Sesame Seed Hamburger Buns
4 tablespoons Butter

Form ground meat into eight quarter-pound patties. Lightly season burgers with salt and pepper to taste. Place in the freezer and chill well before grilling.

Stack lettuce leaves, slice to shred. Slice tomato into 4 slices. Drain pickle chips. Lightly butter buns, grill on a flat griddle until light toasted. Set aside until ready to build burger.

Heat grill to medium-high heat with an open flame. Grill hamburger patties over the open flame, about 3 minutes or so per side.

Your Way
Ketchup as desired
Mustard as desired
Mayonnaise as desired
Thousand Island Dressing as desired
Sliced American Cheese, optional

When ready to assemble, open bun split side up. Place desired condiments on the buns. Stack shredded lettuce and a slice on tomato on one half of the bun, pickles on the other. Place a single patty on each open bun. Add additional condiments as desired on the patties, then sandwich together and enjoy a burger 100% you way.

For Cheeseburgers: Place a slice of American Cheese on each patty just before removing from the grill. Let cheese melt, then build your burgers.

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I am the light of the world, says the Lord;
whoever follows Me will have the light of life.