A Humble Feast for a Holy Man

Why do saints exist? Are they inventions of the Catholic Church? Are Saints even real? All very good questions.

From an early age, Catholics are told that our ultimate goal in life is to become a Saint. Saints are not perfect. Study the lives of some of the saints, and you’ll see. Saul persecuted the early Christians even unto death, yet through an encounter with the Risen Lord, he went on to become Saint Paul, author of much of the New Testament. Some of the most amazing priests I know have a past that is far from holy. Saints remind us all of three very important things – that there is hope – that we can become better people – and that forgiveness is always possible for those who seek forgiveness. No human being will ever become a god. However; we can become more Christ-like, imitating Him with acts of charity, of compassion, caring for the sick, the broken, the downtrodden. The more we love our Lord, the closer we become. The closer we become, the more we love our Lord. And if Saul can be converted and become a saint, why not you or I?

Today within the Church we celebrate the feast day of Saint Thomas Aquinas. This was an amazing man. He was introduced to philosophy by the likes of Aristotle, Averroes and Maimonides. He was educated. He went on to join the newly formed Dominican Order. Some of his quote might seem radical, like those you might hear from a true Socialist today.

Whatever a man has in superabundance is owed,
of natural right, to the poor for their substance.

Man should not consider his material possession his own,
but as common to all, so as to share them without hesitation
when others are in need.

The common denominator in both of these teachings from Saint Thomas isn’t that the government should come along, take all we have and distribute it evenly among the people, but that those who have should freely want to share with those who have not. One of the things that I have always found interesting is that some of the most generous people I have met are people with very little to share. Yet they will open their hearts and their homes to others without fear or reservation. Try as they might, the radical left cannot legislate generosity. It is a virtue, not a law.

The wisdom of Saint Thomas has always caused me to stop and reflect not only on the condition of the world around me, but my own actions as well.

Better to illuminate than merely to shine;
to deliver to others contemplated truths
than merely to contemplate.

God Himself would not permit evil in this world
if good did not come of it for the benefit and harmony of the universe.

Three things are necessary for the salvation of man:
to know what he ought to believe;
to know what he ought to desire;
and to know what he ought to do.

Saints are not perfect. But they have much to teach us. Happy Saint Thomas Aquinas Feast Day everyone.

Beefy Chili Bean Mac-n-Cheese
2 Garlic Cloves
2 Celery Ribs
1/2 Red Bell Pepper
1/2 Red Onion
2 (15 oz) cans Kidney Beans
1 lb Ground Beef
2 tablespoons Chili Powder
2 teaspoons Cumin
1/2 teaspoon Seasoning Salt
2 cups Beef Stock
1 (10 oz) cans Rotel Tomatoes
1 (15 oz) can Tomato Sauce
8 oz Elbow Macaroni
2 cups Mild Cheddar Cheese
Salt to taste
Black Pepper to taste

Peel and mince garlic. Trim celery, finely dice. Stem, core and dice half a bell pepper, reserve remaining half. Cut onion from root to tip. Reserve half for another purpose, dice remaining half. Rinse and drain kidney beans, set aside.

Set Instant Pot Sauté setting. Brown ground beef with garlic cloves until fully cooked.

Add bell pepper, celery and onion. Season with chili powder, cumin and seasoning salt. Sauté vegetables with the meat until tender.

Stir in beef stock, kidney beans, Rotel Tomatoes, tomato sauce and the elbow macaroni. Close and lock lid in place.

Set MANUAL – HIGH PRESSURE – 8 MINUTES. Press start. Once the time is up, release pressure with the quick release valve. Add shredded cheese, stir until incorporated. Season to taste with salt and pepper.

Serve with a small salad for a simple supper.

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The seed is the word of God, Christ is the sower;
all who come to him will live for ever.