A Laetare Sunday Walk in the Park

Easter Sunday is tied to the cycle of the moon. Ash Wednesday signals the start of the Lenten Season, 46 calendar days before Easter Sunday. Since Easter is moveable, so too is Lent. Which means Laetare Sunday is not set to a particular date but rather occures on fourth Sunday in the Lenten Cycle.

Today is Laetare Sunday. Simply put, we have reached the half-way point in our Lenten Journey. Laetare is Latin. It means rejoice. There is reason to rejoice. Our time of penance is nearly over. This turning point is marked with a change in color. Just as the third Sunday of Advent a rose or pink colored candle is lit, today the church is draped in rose colors. It signals hope as we turn to the future, Easter and the promises of salvation.

If you were to walk into a Catholic Church during Lent, you might notice that flowers are absent. Laetare Sunday is an exception, a reprieve from the stanch penitential observations. Once upon a time, marriages were forbidden during Lent with the exception of Laetare Sunday. Today weddings cannot take place in the Church on Good Friday and Holy Saturday.

There is another reason the Church places an emphases on the idea of rejoicing today. It gives the faithful hope as we approach the darkness of Good Friday and Holy Saturday. It is a reminder that Easter Morning will come and our hearts will once again be filled with joy. Easter is a beautiful season. For Catholics, it is not a single day but an entire season, spanning 50 days. Today we are half-way to His glorious resurrection.

This year, the Fourth Sunday in Lent also happens to be both Hot Chicken Day and Walk in the Park. What could possibly be better after a stroll in the park than to grill up a Hot Chicken Sandwich? While Sundays are meant to be savored as mini Easters, no one said it need be fancy. The point of a mini Easter is to give thanks and realize how blessed we are, surrounded by those we love.

Chipotle Mayo Grilled Chicken Sandwich
Chipotle Mayo
1/2 cup Mayonnaise
2 tablespoons Chipotle Seasoning
1/4 teaspoon Lime Juice
Black Pepper to taste

Place mayonnaise in a small mixing bowl. Sprinkle with Chipotle Seasoning, lime juice and black pepper. Whisk to combine.

Cover and chill until ready to use.

Grilled Chicken Sandwiches
4 green Leaf Lettuce Leaves
1 large Beefsteak Tomato
1/4 Red Onion
1 ripe Avocado
2 boneless chicken Breasts
Salt to taste
Black Pepper to taste
Mesquite Seasoning to taste
4 tablespoons Butter
8 slices Sourdough Bread
4 slices Pepper Jack Cheese

Rinse and pat dry lettuce leaves. Slice tomato. Peel and thinly slice onion. If using slice the avocado, sprinkle with lime juice to hold color. Garnish four individual plates with lettuce, tomato, onion and avocado. Set aside until ready to serve.

Build a nice fire or set a gas grill for both direct and indirect grilling. Make sure grill grate is clean, wipe with oil to create a non-stick surface.

Fillet chicken breasts in half to create four thin breasts. Season Chicken Fillets with salt, pepper and mesquite seasoning. Place directly for the heat to sear, about 2 minutes per side, then move for indirect cooking. Continue to grill chicken about 4 minutes per side or until cooked through. Top as desired with Pepper Jack Cheese. Once the chicken is grilled tent the breasts in foil to keep warm.

Lightly bursh 4 slices of sourdough bread with mayonnaise or butter. Stack bread as you would for a sandwich. Place the bread on a griddle over medium heat, coated side down. While the bottom slice is browning, spread mayonnaise or butter on the top slice. Flip, contine to brown the bread. Transfer toasted bread to individual plates.

Spread the Chipotle Mayo on each slice of bread. Top with a chicken breast, onions, tomato, avocado and lettuce as desired.

Once dressed, these sandwiches can be cut in half. Delicious with Tater Tots.

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I sought the LORD, and He answered me
and delivered me from all my fears.