A Beautiful 5th Sunday in Lent

Today is the 5th Sunday in Lent. We are beyond the half-way point of our Lenten Journey. If you had a Complete Edition of the Sunday Missal you would see that the theme of this day is to be an optimist. Look to the future with hope. Believe in hope.

Christians should be optimist by very definition. As for our past, we believe in a merciful God who forgives our shortcomings, our moments of weakness as we stumble. This does not mean we can do whatever we want and be forgiven. True forgiveness requires us to come before God with a contrite heart. To be sorry for our offensives should not stem from a sense of fear of reprisal. Some people think God, the Church, the powers that be control Christians through fear of damnation. Sure, no one wants to burn in hell. That’s a pretty scary thought. I for one strive to be a better person, to avoid sin and temptation, not for myself and the promise of eternal reward. No, it’s because I love Jesus. I love God, the Father, my Father. It breaks my heart to fail Him, to disappoint Him.

In a marriage, do you avoid temptaton because you are afraid your spouse will punish you or do to avoid temptaton so as to not cause pain for the person you love? When I knee in Church alongside my husband of nearly forty years, the thought of doing anyting that would cause him pain is out of the question. I place him before my own needs. Just as he does for me. It’s a partnership. Our relationship with God is so much more.

I hear people in their time of sorrow wail angrily at the Lord. Why have you forsaken me? Why did you let this happen to me? That’s a reaction I don’t understand. God gave me the gift of free will. When bad things happen, I ask myself what could I have done differently? What was my role in this outcome? Sometimes those questions are not the right ones. The loss of a child or a loved one isn’t our fault. In those times I ask God what He wants of me – what good things can I do? What is the lesson, the journey, the reason. But not in anger, no I long to understand, to accept and to surrender to His will. In doing so we find the path to peace and ever lasting happiness. Surrender is the key to becoming a true disciple of Christ, filled with hope. Hope isn’t wishful thinking. Hope is believing in a better tomorrow and understanding that it is always darkest before the dawn. This is a journey through darkness. But we are never alone.

Let us pray for the courage to embrace the world in the name of Christ.

Father in heaven,
The love of your Son led Him to accept the suffering of the cross
That His brothers might glory in new live.
Change our selfishness into self-giving
Help us to embrace the world you have given us,
That we may transform the darkness of its pain
Into the life and joy of Easter.
Grant this through Christ, our Lord
Who lives and reins with You and the Holy Spirit
One God for ever and ever.
Amen

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Remember, Sundays are our break from the Lenten Journey. Yes, we should reflect on our lives every day. But on Sundays, take a moment to look around and to rejoice. God is always good and gracious.

Spicy Chicken Florentine and Basil Spaghetti Alfredo
Spicy Chicken Florentine
4 Garlic Cloves
2 boneless Chicken Breasts
1/4 teaspoon Kosher Salt
1/4 teaspoon Smoked Paprika
1/4 teaspoon Cayenne Pepper
2 tablespoons Olive Oil
2 tablespoons Butter
5 oz Baby Spinach

Heat oven to 450-degrees. Place a pot of salted water to boil for the Spaghetti Alfredo. Peel and finely mince garlic, set aside.

Place chicken breasts in a small baking dish, season with salt, paprika and cayenne pepper. Scatter minced garlic over the breasts then top the breast with a tablespoon each of butter and olive oil. Place breasts in the oven to bake for about 20 minutes, until cooked through. Slice chicken widthwise to fan later. Cover and keep warm until ready to serve.

In the now empty baking dish scatter the spinach. Stir to coat in the oils and juices from the chicken. Place back into the warm oven just long enough for the spinach to wilt.

While the chicken bakes, prepare Basil Spaghetti Alfredo.

Basil Spaghetti Alfredo
1/2 White Onion
1 cup Basil Leaves
14 oz Spaghetti
Kosher Salt
2 tablespoons Butter
2 tablespoons Roasted Garlic from a jar
2/3 cup Heavy Cream
½ cup Milk
½ cup grated Parmesan-Romano Cheese Blend

Cut onion in half from root to tip. Reserve half for another purpose. Peel and finely dice remaining half. Stack bsil leaves, roll tightly to chiffonade, set aside.

Season boiling water with salt. Cook spaghetti until al dente, about 11 minutes. Drain well.

In a saucepan over low heat, melt butter. Add onions and garlic, cook until the onions are soft, abut 10 minutes. Whisk in heavy cream and milk, increasing heat to medium. Cook until mixture thickens, another 10 minutes. Stir in the Parmesan Cheese. Remove from heat; allowing cheese to melt in the warm cream mixture.

Place pasta in a serving bowl. Pour Alfredo Sauce over the spaghetti, toss to coat. Scatter basil over the spaghetti.

Fan chicken out on a serving platter. Season with fresh black pepper. Garnish chicken with the wilted spinach just before serving. Serve with a simple Italian Mushroom Salad and enjoy.

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Even now, says the Lord,
return to Me with your whole heart;
for I am gracious and merciful.