Imagine my surprise when the Vatican came out recently to reject petitions within the Church to formally proclaim Mary as “co-redemptory” or “co-mediatrix.” It shows how little I know about certain movements within the Church.
Silly me, I thought this was some new age movement. If we can’t have women ordained at Priests, let’s a least place Mary on an equal footing with Jesus. Shock of shocks, such references have been around since the 15th century. No wonder Protestants are confused about our relationship with Mary when we ourselves go around muddling the waters. Down through the ages the Vatican has made it clear that there is only one Redeemer, and that it Jesus Christ. Rather than ban the use of Co-Redeemer, the Holy See has said such references are acceptable under the right intention. However; the Church has gone on to say it is not now nor shall it ever be an official title bestowed upon Mary. It would be impossible for our Blessed Mother to be called co-redeemer. There is but one redeemer, and that is Jesus Christ. Mary’s title is that of First Redeemed, as she is the Immaculate Conception, without sin. I understand the temptation to think of her as equally involved in God’s plan of salvation. First she needed to be conceived pure, born pure and remain pure to be the perfect vessel needed to bring Christ into the world. Jesus is the second person of the Holy Trinity which is one God in three persons. God the Father once walked with His children in the Garden, until Adam and Eve committed the first sin of disobedience (which in reality stems from the sin of Pride, but that’s a conversation for another day). God could no longer have that same intimate relationship with mankind once sin had entered the world. In many ways Eden was heaven on earth since our Creator resides in heaven, yet He walked with us in the garden. Sin cannot enter into heaven. Those with sin cannot be in the presence of God the Father. For Jesus to come into the world to redeem mankind and make reconsiliation possible two things had to happen. Mary needed to be free of sin, and she needed to say yes, to consent to His holy plan. This does not make her an equal partner but rather a willing, obedient participant. Becasue the sin of disobedience separated man from the Lord, the virtue of obedience was necessary.
I have no idea why there has been a quiet movement within the Church to bestow upon the Immaculate Conception a title that might spark confusion and imply that the Mother of the Lord is somehow equal to the Lord. While no man is greater than any women, equal yet separate in their roles, the Lord is above all and no one person is greater. Mary is the Immaculate Conception, the First Redeemed, the Mother of God, our Heavenly Advocator. I think if Mary herself could speak on this division within the Church, she would point to her Son and remind us all that He alone is the way, the truth and the light. Sometimes I think we get so caught up in man-made titles of importance that we loose sight of the truths of salvation.
Today we celebrate the Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception. Hail Mary, full of grace. Our light, our sweetness and our hope. We are but poor banished children of Eve in the land of exile. Turn your eyes of mercy toward us, most gracious advocate, Holy Mother of God.
This pork Medallion comes to us from Portugal, a country with a richly devout and beautiful history with our Blessed Mother.
Portuguese Pork Medallion
1 lb Pork Tenderloin
4 large Garlic Cloves
1-1/2 teaspoons Kosher Salt
1 tablespoon whole Black Peppercorns
2 tablespoons Olive Oil, divided
1 large Red Bell Pepper
1 cup White Wine
1 tablespoon Lemon Juice
2 tablespoons Butter
1 Lemon
Slice pork into 1-1/2 inch medallions. With a kitchen mallet, flatten the pork medallions to 1/4 inch thick, set aside.
Peel garlic, set aside. With a large mortar and pestle, mash the garlic, coarse salt, 1 tablespoon olive oil, and peppercorns into a fine paste. Transfer to a large bowl.
Place pork medallions in the bowl with the garlic mixture, tossing to coat. Cover, let the pork medallions soak in the flavors for about an hour in the refrigerator.
Stem and core bell pepper. Cut into thin Julienned strips, set aside.
Heat the remaining tablespoon of oil in a large skillet over high heat. Quickly brown pork about 1 minute on each side. Remove from heat, and set aside.
Place Julienned pepper strips into the skillet, and sauté for about 3 minutes or so, until tender but firm. Pour white wine into the skillet, and scrape up the browned bits. Reduce heat to low, return pork to skillet, and continue cooking 10 to 15 minutes, to an internal temperature of 180 degrees. Off heat add lemon juice and the butter one tablespoon at a time into the sauce.
Transfer the pork to a serving platter. Top with the red peppers. Pour pan juices over the entire dish. Garnish the platter with the lemon rounds.
Spicy Yellow Rice
1/2 Red Bell Pepper
1/2 Yellow Onion
1 Garlic Clove
1 Jalapeño Pepper
1 tablespoon Spicy Olive Oil
1 teaspoon Garlic Powder
Pinch Cayenne Pepper
1/ teaspoon Turmeric
1 cup Jasmine Rice
2 cups Water
Salt to taste
1/3 cup frozen Young Peas
Cut bell pepper in half, core. Reserve half of the pepper for another purpose. Dice remaining half. Cut onion in half from root to tip. Reserve half for another purpose. Peel and dice remaining half. Peel the garlic. Stem and dice Jalapeño. Set aside.
Heat the olive oil in a pan over medium heat. Toss the bell pepper, onion, and Jalapeño into the oil in the pan. Sautee for a few minutes. Press the whole garlic into the pan then add garlic powder, paprika, cayenne and turmeric, sauté for another minute. Add rice, cook for 2 minutes, stirring constantly.
Add water and salt to taste. Cover, bring to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer for 10 minutes or until rice is almost done. Add frozen peas, continue to simmer another 5 minutes or until rice is soft, liquid has evaporated and peas are warmed.
Fluff rice just before serving.
Hail, Mary, full of grace, the Lord is with you;
Blessed are you among women.
Luke 1:28
Welcome to Rosemarie's Kitchen 