Thank the Lord for Sundays

Today is Brown Bag It Day and National Wine Day. Hum, guess some folks will be brown bagging it even if it is a Sunday. For me, it makes no difference now that I am retired.

As for wine, sure. Everything goes better with wine. Except maybe today’s recipe. Then again, it really doesn’t matter what the secular, National This or That has to say. It’s Sunday. A day made by the Lord, for the Lord so that we, His children may come to know Him better. It is a day of rest. A day for families. A mini Easter and Thanksgiving all rolled into one. After all, today is the 6th Sunday of the Easter Season.

Hubby and I truly feel blessed to have been led to our parish. The priest featured here is Father Sam, our Pastor. He is an amazing man. Father Sam is very busy even when he appears to be still. He is one of those people who never stops, his mind is constantly spinning – constantly seeking out the Holy Spirit to guide him and thereby us to whatever needs to be done next. He prays in earnest to find new ways to inspire, to motivate others, to reach out to the community and bring more souls to Christ. Father Sam is a tireless servant of the Lord who truly leads by example. It is never about him as a person, glorifying himself like some of the Mega Box Preachers but rather he humble himself in a service to others and inspire those around him to answer their call. The man has more projects going in one afternoon than most of us get accomplished in a month. He relies heavily on a core group of parishioners. You know the ones – that core body of volunteers in everything from Church events to Youth Groups and the PTA. The people who quietly work behind the scenes to make it all happen. While Father Sam asks much of those willing to step up; he never asks more than he himself is willing to do. Every word that comes from his lips glorifies God.

Because his thoughts are always racing, sometimes in his homilies Father Sam will wander off. When he does you’ll hear someone clear their throat, coaxing him back into the moment. While his homilies can get a bit winded, they cause you to reflect, to re-examin and often rediscover the passion of faith. Parishes are only as productive as their pastor. Under Father Sam’s guidance there have been some great accomplishments. It took over a year from concept to completion to transform our parish hall into a month-long immersion exibit of Stations of the Eucharist. Twelve thousand people from all over the valley came to experience the Divine Presence of God from the unlevened breads shared at the first Passover (below, our small piece in the project) to the Last Supper when Christ instituted Holy Communion. It was truly amazing to be a part of this massive undertaking.

Even then, you could see the wheels turning, and he was already jumbling ahead to his next big project. I don’t know where the Lord will guide him next, all I know is that we will follow.

---

Cumin-Spiced Chicken Quarters
4 Chicken Quarters
2 Limes for juice
2 teaspoons Cumin
1 teaspoon New Mexican Red Chili Powder
1/2 teaspoon Cayenne Pepper
1/2 teaspoon Garlic Powder
1/2 teaspoon Salt
4 tablespoons Butter

Heat oven to 425-degrees. Spray a 9-inch by 13-inch casserole dish with cooking spray.

With kitchen scissors designed to cut through bone or a meat cleaver cut the legs from the thighs at the joint, creating four each drumsticks and thighs. Lay chicken in the prepared dish, thighs skin-side up. Cut limes in half, squeeze lime juice over the meat. Set aside.

In a small bowl combine cumin, red chili powder, cayenne pepper, garlic powder and salt. Turn and sprinkle with half of the spice mix. Turn sprinkle again with remaining spice. Cut butter into 8 little clumps. Place 1 clump on top of each piece of chicken to baste in buttery flavor as it cooks. Place in the heated oven and roast for about 45 minutes or until cooked through, turning half way through cooking time.

Delicious with Mexican Rice, Spicy Pinto Beans and warm tortillas.

---

May God have pity on us and bless us;
May he let His face shine upon us.