I’ve Got a Guy for That

Today is the Feast Day of Saint Matthias. While counted as an Apostle, he was not one of the original twelve. A follower and devoted disciple, Matthias had been among those following Christ’s ministry since the Jordon River.

As I began writing today’s post to honor the man chosen to take the place of Judas and restore the Apostles to twelve, I began thinking how God always provides. From among the 120 disciples present; two men were nominated to replace Judas. This was necessary for two very obvious reasons. First, Judas betrayed our Lord. Even that might have been forgiven, for we know Satan had entered Judas. While still under the influence of Satan’s power, Judas hung himself. There was no coming back from suicide. While little is known about Saint Matthias in scripture beyond his election, he is considered the patron Saint against alcoholism; often called upon by struggling alcoholics. In many ways Christians (Catholics) can honesty say “I’ve got a guy for that” because God in His wisdom, and the Church in her loyalty to Christ has provided a saint to lead the way back to Christ no matter what might cause us to fall.

Peter and the other Apostles did not just pick a name from a hat. There were conditions. Whoever was chosen as a replacement needed to have been a part of Christ’s ministry from the very beginning on the banks of the Jordan River. In all likelihood he needed to be among the seventy-two disciples Jesus has sent out on a mission of evangelization during His public ministry. In a way you could say that like the original twelve, he was chosen. His selection happened shortly after the Feast of Ascension, before Pentecost Sunday. Therefore, when the Holy Spirit came down from heaven, it came upon Matthias as an Apostle.

The fact that Peter organized an election to restore their number to twelve tells us that from the very beginning the Apostles believed Christ had intended the role of Apostles to continue even after the original twelve had died. The Church established by Jesus Christ continues on. The appointment of Matthias as an Apostle clearly demonstrates that Saint Peter, the first Pope of the Church, had the authority as well as a solemn responsibility to appoint new Apostles – or bishops – as needed. Equally important is the responsibility of the Cardinals to elect a new Pope to shepherd over all of the faithful when the position is vacated. Jesus saw to it that His church would remain until He comes again.

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Spicy Chicken and Biscuit Sliders
Honey Butter
8 tablespoons soft Butter
4 tablespoons Honey

In a small bowl mix butter with honey. Set aside until ready to use.

Buttermilk Biscuits
2/3 cup Whole Milk
2 teaspoons White Vinegar
2 cups Flour
1 heaping tablespoon Baking Powder
1 teaspoon Salt
6 tablespoons Shortening

Heat oven to 450-degrees. Line a rimmed baking pan with parchment paper, set aside.

Measure milk in a glass measuring cup. Stir in the white vinegar. Set aside and let steep for 10 minutes. Whisk just before using.

Combine flour, baking powder and salt in a bowl. Cut in the shortening with fingertips. Add buttermilk to create a soft dough.

Lightly four a cutting board. Round up the soft dough into a ball; lightly knead on the floured board for about 30 seconds or so. Roll out or pat dough into a quarter-inch tick disk. With a lightly floured biscuit cutter or round cookie cutter, cut biscuits. Regroup any remaining dough, roll out a second time and cut. The total number of biscuits you get will depend upon the size of the biscuit cutter. I got 6 large biscuits.

DO NOT use any dough remaining after a second knead as it might become overworked and produce less than desirable biscuits.

Arrange biscuits on the prepared baking pan. Place in the heated oven to bake for about 10 mintues or until golden brown. Keep warm until ready to assemble.

Spicy Fried Chicken
1/3 cup Franks Red Hot Sauce
1/3 cup Water
1 Egg
1 cup Flour
2-1/2 teaspoons Salt
4 teaspoons Cayenne Pepper
1 teaspoon Coarse Black Pepper
1 teaspoon Onion Powder
1/2 teaspoon Smoked Paprika
Pinch Garlic Powder
1 lb thin-cut boneless Chicken Breasts
Vegetable Oil for frying

In a pie pan whisk together hot sauce, water and an egg. In another pie pan combine flour, salt, cayenne pepper, black pepper, onion powder, paprika and garlic powder.

Cut fillets into smaller pieces to fit nicely on a biscuit with just a little overhang. Coat each fillet in flour, then in the hot sauce mixture, then in the flour again. Shake off excess after each coating. Lay chicken out on a wire rack over parchment paper for easy clean up. Let chicken rest for 10 minutes to allow the coating to adhere well to the meat.

Fill a skillet with about half an inch of oil. Heat oil over medium high heat. Place half of the chicken into the hot oil. Immediately turn the head down to medium. Fry chicken for about 3 minutes. Turn, continue to fry another 2 to 3 minutes. Place chicken on a wire rack to drain, hold in a warm oven until all the chicken has been fried.

Potato Wedges
3 Baking Potatoes
2 tablespoons Olive Oil
Salt to taste
Black Pepper to taste
4 tablespoons Butter

Heat oven to 425-degrees. Line a large rimmed baking sheet with foil, set aside.

Scrub potatoes, pat dry. Slice into 8 wedges per potato. Arrange the potato wedges on the prepared baking sheet. Drizzle with oil to lightly coat. Season liberally with salt and pepper. Lay out flat and roast in the heated oven for 22 minutes. Remove from oven, turn and continue to roast another 22 minutes or until golden and crisp on the outside, soft and fluffy on the inside.

Melt butter, drizzle over the potatoes just before serving.

On a large, warm serving platter stack the biscuits at one end, the wedge potatoes at the other and the chicken in the middle. To enjoy, split open the buscuits. Spread honey butter inside the biscuits, top with a piece of spicy fried chicken with potato wedges on the side.

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Saint Matthias, please pray for me
That I will listen to the voice of God
And respond to His call all the days of my life
For like you, I trust in Jesus