The First Friday of Lent

So often we are told to feel sad during Lent. Repent. Sacrifice. Suffer. I suppose you could look at the Lenten Season that way. Or see it as a blessing, an opportunity. It’s all a matter of attitude.

The First Friday of Lent follows the First Sunday of Lent, and not Ash Wednesday. The Ember Days of the Lenten Season also follow the First Sunday of Lent. So today is both the First Friday of the Lenten Season and the Second Ember Days of Spring. Ember Days are set aside to give thanks to the Lord. Lenten Fridays are also an opportunity to give thanks. The whole point of Lent is to reflect upon our lives, to take stock of our failings as followers of Christ, to vow to change and to seek forgiveness. While this time is very much a somber time, it is also a time of great hope.

I am reminded of the Confiteor (I confess) prayer that is often recited at the start of Mass before entering the Liturgy of the Word and the Eucharist. As a family of the faithful, we publicly pray for the forgiveness of our venial sins. Of all the prayers spoken together, to me this is the most powerful, most moving.

I confess to Almighty God,
And to you, my brothers and sisters,
That I have greatly sinned
In my thoughts and in my words,
In what I have done,
And in what I have failed to do;
(striking the breast 3 times)
Through my fault, through my fault,
Through my most grievous fault;
Therefore I ask the blessed Mary ever-Virgin,
All the angels and Saints,
And you, my brothers and sisters,
To pray for me to the Lord our God.

Penance, prayer, seeking forgiveness are all opportunities to make changes in our lives, to be better mothers, fathers, husbands, wives, stewards of the less fortunate. Yes, we should feel remorse for our shortcomings, but joy in the knowledge that there is still hope and that whatever wrongs we may have done through our actions or inactions, forgiveness is possible. Oh but there is one tiny catch – sincerity. The Lord knows what is in your heart. If you stumble and fall, all is forgiven if you truly seek forgiveness and are truly repentant. But if you use this time as a Get Out of Jail Free Card, you are in for a big surprise. The choice is yours to make. It is my constant silent prayer that, come judgement day, I will not hear Jesus say in His best Ricky Ricardo voice “Lucy, you got some ‘plainin to do.” Form for me a contrite heart that I may always do what you ask, O Lord.

---

Firecracker Buffalo Grilled Salmon with Mango Salsa
1 lb Salmon
1/3 cup Frank’s Red Hot Buffalo Sauce
1-1/4 cups Brown Sugar, packed
1 tablespoon Water
2 teaspoons Apple Cider Vinegar
Salt to taste
Red Pepper Flakes to taste

Heat outdoor grill or grill pan to medium-high heat. While the grill warms, pat salmon dry and hold on a parchment lined baking sheet while the sauce is made.

In a medium mixing bowl, whisk together your buffalo sauce, brown sugar, water, apple cider vinegar, salt, and red pepper.

Once the grate or grill pan is nice and hot, brush salmon generously with the sauce. Grill over medium heat for about 5 minutes or to desired doneness.

Plate grilled salmon. Brush with more sauce.

Finishing Touches
1 tablespoon Black Sesame Seeds
1 cup Mango Salsa

Sprinkle salmon with sesame seeds. Spoon sweet salsa around the plated salmon just before serving.

Easy Flour Tortillas
1 cup Water
1-1/4 cups Flour, divided
1/2 teaspoon Salt
1 tablespoon Olive Oil

Bring water to a boil in a sauce pan. Remove from heat. Add 1 cup of flour and the salt. Stir with a spoon for about 2 minutes, until a ball of dough forms. Dump out onto a plate. Let cool for about 20 minutes. Drizzle with oil.

Kneed dough until smooth and elastic, about a minute or two. Roll out into a rope about 6 inches long. Cut into 1-inch pieces. Roll each peace out into a rope about an inch long. Stand up, flatten to create a disk.

Working with one disk at a time, dust disk with remaining flour. Press out as flat as possible using a tortilla press or rolling pin dusted with flour.

Cook tortillas over medium to medium-low heat in a skillet or tortillas pan until brown spots begin to form and the tortilla has cooked through.

Finish this lovely supper with some spicy Mexican Rice.

---

Thus says the Lord GOD:
If the wicked man turns away from all the sins
He committed, if he keeps all my statues
And does what is right and just,
He shall surly live, he shall not die.
Ezekiel 18-21