Hail Holy Queen

Mother of mercy, our life, our sweetness and our hope. To thee do we cry, poor banished children of Eve: to thee do we send up our sighs, mourning and weeping in this valley of tears. Turn then, most gracious Advocate, thine eyes of mercy toward us, and after this our exile, show unto us the blessed fruit of thy womb, Jesus.

Catholics pray to Mary. She is the mother of God. If anyone has her Son’s ear in heaven, it is Mary. Some confuse prayers to Mary with worship. They are not the same. Christians outside the Catholic faith feel going through Mary is an unnecessary step. Go straight to Jesus. “You need to have a relationship with Jesus directly” is something I have often heard. I have Jewish friends who say why go through a man named Jesus when you can go straight to God? And yet when man’s sinfulness banned us from Eden, He did not create a path for our redemption directly. No, He came down from heaven and became man. He did so through a woman. No one can argue, God’s way is best. One of the many reasons I love the Catholic Church so much is because of the important role of women throughout Christ’s earthly ministry.

From the very beginning Mary was created to be the Mother of God. She was conceived in her mother’s womb pure, without the stain of original sin. She was presented to the temple as a small child. Everything about Mary’s life was in preparation for her role.

Today the Church celebrates the Memorial Feast of the Presentation of Mary. While Catholics do not worship her, we do recognize that without this simple woman’s answer “Yes”, none of us would be saved. There was no Plan B. And that is because God’s Plan A was perfectly put into motion the moment the gates of paradise slammed shut. All in due time. In His time.

In keeping with both a Friday’s observation and the simple life of this amazing woman, I thought a simple meal was in order. Remember blessings are not free. God’s graces are not laying about on the ground for us to pick up as we please. Yet all we need do is ask of our Heavenly Father. He will grant us blessings and His graces. All in due time. In His time.

Bless us, O Lord
and these simple gifts
which we are about to receive
from Your bounty
through Christ, our Lord.
And for the nourishment You alone provide
we give you thanks always.
Amen

Panini Tuna Melts
3 cans Tuna Fish packed in Water
1/4 Red Onion
1 Celery Rib
3 tablespoons Sweet Pickle Relish
2-1/2 tablespoons Miracle Whip Sandwich Spread
1-1/2 tablespoons Mayonnaise
8 slices Sourdough Bread
3 tablespoons Butter
1 Beefsteak Tomato
Sliced White Cheese as desired

Drain tuna fish. Place tuna in a mixing bowl. Cut a quarter section from an onion. Peel and finely chop. Trim and finely mince celery rib. Slice tomato, set aside until ready to use. If necessary, unwrap or separate cheese slices to have at the ready. Set aside until ready to use.

Add chopped onions, celery and sweet pickles to the tuna, mix well to blend. Add Miracle Whip and Mayonnaise, stir to blend. If mixture is too dry, add equal amounts of miracle whip and mayonnaise, 1/2 tablespoon at a time.

Butter all the bread. Place 4 slices of bread butter side down on a work surface. Spread tuna salad mixture on bread. Top with slices of tomato, then sliced cheese if desired. Place top slices of bread over sandwich, buttered side up.

Place sandwiches in Panini press. Grill until golden and cheese has melted. Remove from grill, slice in half and serve. Warm sandwiches always go better with a side of warm fries. Enjoy!

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“Behold, the Virgin shall be with Child and shall bear a Son,
And they shall call his name Emmanuel”
Which translated means “God with Us”
Matthew 1: 23