Our Penance is Nearly Over

Today marks the 5th and final Friday of the Lenten Season. While Lent itself does not end until Holy Thursday, there are no more Lenten Fridays to speak of. Next Friday is Good Friday. It is not a part of the Lenten Season, but rather within the Holy Triduum, the shortest of all Liturgical Seasons.

So, how are you doing with your Journey? Each year I hope that what I have chosen to give up for Lent becomes a part of my every day life. While we always do something fun – giving up caffeine or chocolates, I try to make other changes as well. Give up gossip and judgments. (Look at that short skirt – what was she thinking?) Give up a silly pet peeve (Please, you clearly have 11 items in the 10 item line). More importantly to give up anger, frustration, and the prideful need to take control over situations that are out of my control. To read scripture daily beyond Lent. To pray more, to seek God more. To care for others with greater compassion. Lent is a time filled with opportunity for reflection and change.

It also means no meat on Fridays for the whole of the faithful. For those who no longer follow the No Meat penance this in itself is a struggle. For Hubby and I, it’s a part of the continuing challenge to come up with new meatless choices. When I was a girl I thought fish was served three ways – as a Tuna Sandwich, as a Fish Stick or Catfish Fry. So glad to be in the grownup world and know better. Still, I do like my Tuna Fish.

Spicy Panini Tuna Melts
1/4 Red Onion
1 Celery Rib
1/4 cup Nacho Jalapeño Peppers
3 small cans Albacore Tuna in Water
3 tablespoons Miracle Whip
3 tablespoons Mayonnaise
6 sliced Sourdough Bread
1 large Tomato
3 slices Pepper Jack Cheese

Cut a wedge from the onion, peel and finely chop. Finely chop celery. Drain Jalapeños, finely mince. Drain tuna, add to the bowl. Scatter onion, celery and Jalapeños into a bowl. Stir to blend. Add miracle whip and mayonnaise to create a tuna spread. Set aside.

Slice tomato into rounds. If necessary, unwrap cheese slices and set aside.

Butter 3 slices of sourdough bread, place butter side down. Spread each bread slice with tuna salad. Place 1 tomato slice on top of tuna salad then a slice of cheese over the tomato. Butter remaining slices of sour dough, place on top, butter side up.

Heat Panini Grill. Once warm, grill Spicy Tuna Melts. Serve with fries.

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I love you, O LORD, my strength,
O LORD, my rock, my fortress, my deliverer.
In my distress I called upon the Lord, and He heard my voice.