Remembering Our Guardian Angels

Today within the Catholic Church, we celebrate the Memorial Feast of Guardian Angels. Of all the feast days within the church, a Memorial holds the lowest ranking. There are Solemnities, which are also Holy Days of Obligation, Feasts Days and Memorials.

Solemnities are the celebration of major mysteries of faith such as Christmas Day and Easter. Feast Days honor secondary mysteries of faith such as the Exaltation of the Holy Cross or the feasts days of the Apostles. Memorials are designed to remember and reflect upon our faith in general, as in the lives of the saints or the Holy Name of Jesus. Memorial Feasts do not involve the mysteries of faith.

The belief in Guardian Angels is not a doctrine of faith. In other words, you can decide to believe in their existence or not. Catholics who choose not to believe in the existence of Guardian Angels are still Catholics in good standing.

The biggest struggle people seem to have is if we each have a guardian angel, why do bad things still happen to us. From the very beginning, God gave first to His angels and then to Adam and Eve the gift of free will. God, His angels and even the demons who prowl around seeking the ruin of souls cannot interfere with free will. What God can do it to bring good out of a tragic reslut of free will. What happens next, and how we respond is up to us.

While our guardian angels might not always be able to protect us from bad things, they will see us through. Theirs are the whispered voices of comfort and faith even in the most horrific of circumstances. They bring God’s love and His strength to see us through. And instill in us a resolve to do what has been asked of us, to fulfill our purpose and answer His call. Even unto death. For great are the rewards awaiting us in heaven.

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Just a quick note before we get to cooking – these pork chops and potatoes were amazing! So tender, you could almost cut them with a fork. It took longer for the pressure to build and then release than it did for the dinner to cook. Wow!

Instant Pot Pork Chops and Potatoes with Gravy
1-1/2 lbs Red or Gold Potatoes
1-1/2 teaspoons fresh Rosemary
1 teaspoon fresh Chives, snipped
1/2 Yellow Onion
1 teaspoon Paprika
1/2 teaspoon Black Pepper, divided
1-1/2 teaspoons Garlic Powder, divided
1 teaspoon Kosher Salt, divided
4 (thick) boneless Pork Chops
2 tablespoons Olive Oil
1-1/2 cups Chicken Stock
1/2 teaspoon dried Thyme
2 tablespoons Cornstarch
Parsley for garnish, optional

Scrub potatoes, cut into 1-inch or so pieces, hold potatoes in a bowl. Strip rosemary from sprigs, chop. Snip chives. Cut onion in half from root to tip, reserve half for another purpose, peel and dice remaining half. Set aside.

In a small bowl mix all the paprika, 1/4 teaspoon pepper, 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder and 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt. Rub seasoning mix over the pork chops on both sides, set aside.

Choose the Sauté Setting on the Instant Pot, set for MEDIUM – 8 MINUTES- add olive oil. When the pot displays that it is ready sear pork chops for 3 minutes on each side. Remove pork to a plate, set aside.

Note: If the pork chops are large, do this in batches and increase the timer by 6 minutes.

Add the diced onions to the pot. Sauté onions for 2 minutes, then add chicken stock; stir to loosen any browned bits. Return pork chops to the pot on top of the onions. Place a steamer basket on top of the pork chops for the potatoes.

Season potatoes with the rosemary, chives, dried thyme, remaining 1/4 teaspoon black pepper, teaspoon garlic powder and 1/2 teaspoon of kosher salt. Toss to coat potatoes in the seasoning. Place potatoes in the steamer basket.

Secure the Instant Pot Lid. Choose Pressure Cook Setting – HIGH – 5 MINUTES. When the time is up, let the pressure come down naturally for 10 minutes, then vest to release any remaining pressure.

Remove the basket with the potatoes and the pork from the insert. Place on a platter and keep warm.

Mix 2 tablespoons cold water with equal amounts of cornstarch in a small bowl. Select the Sauté Setting – HIGH – 4 MINUTES. Gradually add the cornstarch slurry to the simmering liquid in the pot, cook until a thickened gravy form. Season with salt and pepper if desired.

Spoon the gravy over the potatoes and the pork chops just before serving.

This is delicious with green beans to complete the supper.

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The fear of the LORD is pure,
enduring forever;
The ordinances of the LORD are true,
all of them just.