Feasting on a Beautiful Friday

The Patron Saint of France is a woman. Or rather a girl. Her name is Joan of Arc. She was born in Normremy, in northeast France. Joan was just 19 when she was burned alive. What crimes could this girl have committed that cost her very life?

Joan died during a very dark period in history both for France and for the Catholic Church. France fought against the English claim to the throne of France in what is now known as the Hundred Year War. Joan believed Charles VII of France was the rightful King. While she fought against the British, it was that she dressed as a man and claimed to have had visions of Michael the Archangel as well as messages from Saint Margaret and Saint Catherine that resulted in her death. The Bishop in France at the time, Pierre Cauchon accused Joan of heresy and blaspheming for dressing as a man, and acting upon what he called demonic visions and further refusing to submit her behavior to the authority and judgment of the church. She was declared guilty on all counts and was burned at the steak on May 30, 1431. Bishop Cauchon’s loyalty was to the British rather than the Church itself.

In 1456 an inquisitorial court overturned the verdict, claiming the original trial was tainted by prejudice, depiction and procedural errors. Joan was declared an obedient daughter of the Catholic Faith and a martyr. She was canonized in 1920 by Pope Benedict XV, and became one of the patron saints of France two years later. Today is her feast day. Joan believed she was chosen to take a stand, even when doing so put her at odds with a figure of authority within the church. Just as in the time of Jesus, church authority and God’s authority isn’t necessairy the same. Absolute power, when unchecked, will corupt absolutly.

If is also a Friday. For me, that’s just an excuse to cook up some delicious and colorful fish. Embrace this day that the Lord has made. Love one another and rejoice for every day is a blessing and an opportunity to walk with Christ.

Five-Minute Poached Tilapia
1 tablespoon Capers
1/2 cup Cherry Tomatoes
1/4 teaspoon Red Pepper Flakes
1/4 cup Water
4 Tilapia Filets
Pink Salt to taste
Fresh Black Pepper to taste
3 cups Arugula
2 tablespoons Butter
1 tablespoon Lemon Juice

Rinse capers, set aside to drain. Cut tomatoes in half, set aside.

In a medium non-stick skillet bring a quarter cup water to a boil. Add tomatoes and red pepper flakes to the skillet, top with tilapia filets. Season fish with salt and pepper to taste. Cover; cook for 3 minutes. Carefully turn fish over. Scatter Arugula over and around the fish. Cover; cook until the tilapia flakes easily with a fork, about 2 minutes. Move the tilapia to one side of the skillet, tomatoes and Arugula to the other side. With a slotted spoon, transfer the poached vegetables to a platter. Arrange the tilapia on top, reserving the liquid in the skillet for the sauce.

Off heat, add butter, lemon juice and capers to the skillet. Swirl until butter melts in the residual heat. Season the sauce with salt and pepper to taste. Drizzle over the fish, serve and enjoy.

This simple fish supper is delicious with Rice Pilaf and fresh baked bread.

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All you peoples, clap your hands,
shout to God with cries of gladness,
For the LORD, the Most High, the awesome,
is the great king over all the earth.