Good Friday, e agia kai megale paraskeue (the Holy and Great Preparation in Greek), Holy Friday, Trauriger Freitag (Sorrowful Friday in German) – this day goes by many names throughout the world. It seems a contradiction to describe the day our Lord was crucified as Holy or Good.
Yet Good is exactly what this day is from a spiritual perspective. Everything had led up to this, it is the reason God became Man. On this day a ransom was paid, and the gates of heaven, closed since the sin of disobedience in the Garden of Eden were thrown open. Because of man’s sin, a sacrifice had to be made. No one person could have made such a sacrifice on their own. Only God made man could randsome us. Sometimes I wonder why God bothered creating man in the first place. He knew before the earth was formed what we would do if given free will.
Then God said, “Let us make man in our image, after our likeness. And let them have dominion over the fish of the sea and over the birds of the heavens and over the livestock and over all the earth and over every creeping thing that creeps on the earth.”
How did God create Adam? He spoke. That was it. God said Let there be light and there was light. From nothing God spoke man into existance. And He blessed us with dominion over all the earth. This gave us free will. Free will became our downfall. Yes, Eve was tricked by the Devil. He lied to her. She chose to listen. And so it was that we fell from grace, separated from God through our sinful ways.
God in the second person came into this world as an innocent baby. He grew into a man only to be betrayed by Judas, scourged, mocked and tormented by the crowds who once hailed His coming. He was eventually abandoned by His disciples. Only Mary, His mother, Mary Magdalene and the youngest of the Apostles, John, remained with our Lord to the unimaginable end. As tragic as it sounds, the moment God spoke man into existance He knew one day He would become our sacrificial lamb. It was His plan from the beginning of time. For the Lord there is no concept of time as we know it. He is, He was and He shall always be, without a beginning or an end. And His love for us, His creation, knows no bounds.
Catholics do not have bare crosses in our Churches. Ours contain the image of the Crucified Lord. It is a visual reminder of the price of sin. And a reminder of what it means to lay down ones life for others. This is a good day, a Holy day – for God so loved the world.
Today is a day of prayer, abstinence and fasting. It is also a reminder that all things are made new again in Jesus Christ. Nothing says spring and renewal quit like Asparagus. This soup is both simple and sustaining. Peace be with you on this Holy Day.
Cream of Asparagus Soup
1 small White Onion
2 Garlic Cloves
2 lbs fresh Asparagus
16 oz Chicken Stock
Olive Oil as needed
4 tablespoons Flour
2-1/2 cups Milk
2 tablespoons Butter
Salt to taste
Pinch dried Thyme
Pinch White Pepper
1/2 cup Heavy Cream
2 tablespoons White Wine
1 tablespoon Lemon Juice
Fresh Cracked Pepper
Peel and mince onion and garlic. Trim asparagus, cut spears into 1-inch pieces, reserving the tops as a garnish. Set aside.
In a large saucepan over medium heat, heat oil. Add onions, cook about 5 minutes, stirring to prevent browning. Add garlic, cook 1 minute longer. Add asparagus and chicken stock, bring to a boil Reduce heat; simmer uncovered about 10 minutes or until asparagus is tender. Remove fro heat; cool slightly.
While the asparagus simmers, heat a little oil in a small skillet. Sauté reserved asparagus tips, set aside as a garnish.
Transfer asparagus spears with all the liquid to a blender. Process until smooth.
In a small bowl whisk 2 tablespoons flour with 1/4 cup milk to create a smooth slurry. Set aside.
In the now empty saucepan melt butter over medium heat. Stir in salt, thyme and white pepper. Sprinkle with remaining 2 tablespoons flour to create a flavorful roux. Contuse to cook roux another minute or so, until a light golden brown. Gradually whisk in the cream. Then whisk in remaining 2-1/4 cups milk along with floor slurry. Bring to a boil, stirring constantly. Cook about 2 minutes, until thickened. Stir in wine, lemon juice and asparagus mixture.
Heat through. Ladle into bowls, garnish with asparagus tips and fresh black pepper. Serve with warm flat bread such as Naan Bread.
Father, into your hands I commend my spirit.
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