Blessed Be This Holy Monday

For the longest time I found the events of Holy Monday upsetting. Jesus is perfect. Jesus is love. And yet here He is showing anger. I’m not talking about speaking in a stern voice. He’s cracking a whip and overturning tables.

“Jesus entered the temple courts and drove out all who were buying and selling there. He overturned the tables of the money changers and the benches of those selling doves. ‘It is written,’ he said the them, ‘My house will be called a house of prayer,’ but you are making it a den of robbers.’” – Matthew 21:12-13

The only way I could reconcile with this image of an angry Jesus was to assume it was all a part of a greater plan – that in order to be arrested He needed to cross the Pharisees in a big public way. Jesus really wasn’t angry. He is the Christ. From the moment of His birth everything that took place was part of God’s plan. This was a pivotal moment in redemption. And yet His anger bothered me.

Every year our parish holds talks during Advent and Lent. This year we missed the Lenten Lectures due to Hubby’s health. However; the Advent Lectures put new light on anger. Anger is not evil. It is a natural reaction to evil. Anger spurs action. Listen to what Jesus was saying – the House of the Lord had been transformed into a den of thieves. This required anger as a response not only from Christ – the Son of God – but from all of us when we see God’s word turned into big business. Before you start – Catholics pass the collection plate just like all the other churches. Those in attendance are not obligated to contribute. Those that can, do. Those that cannot are not asked to leave or denied a blessing. No judgment. There are Bibles in the pews, and Missals and prayer books. There is no change to open one, to receive His word. Those that give and those that do not are equally invited to dip their fingers in Holy Water and partake in Communion. God’s love and graces are there for all.

There are times when we need to get angry – to be spurred into action. I would not recommend overturning tables – but speaking up and speaking out is important. Jesus was right in His anger on Holy Monday. He also knew that His time was short. He still had so much to tell us, to show us, to teach us before His ultimate sacrifice on the Cross.

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With so much faith to unpack today, I thought keeping supper simple was the easiest thing to do. Enjoy and give thanks.

Whiskey Ranch BBQ Burgers with Onion Rings
3 slices Bacon
2 bags frozen Onion Rings
1 Beefsteak Tomato
2 or 3 Green Lettuce Leaves
3 Third-Pound Burger Patties
Olive Oil for burgers
Hamburger Seasoning to taste
Bourbon Whiskey BBQ Sauce
3 slices Sharp Cheddar Cheese
3 Sesame Seed Hamburger Buns
3 tablespoons Mayonnaise

In a skillet, fry bacon until crisp. Drain on paper towels, set aside. Add about an inch or so into the now empty skillet, heat to 350-degrees. Fry Onion Rings in batches. Keep warm until ready to serve. While the onion rings cook slice tomato and shred lettuce leaves, set aside.

Heat a grill to medium-high heat. Brush the burger patties with oil then season with Hamburger Seasoning, set aside.

Grill the burgers until browned and slightly charred on the first side (about 3-4 minutes). Flip the burgers over and continue to cook until desired doneness – about 4 minutes for medium rare, longer for a more done burger. Drizzle burgers with Bourbon Whiskey BBQ Sauce and place one slice of cheese on each burger. Cook an additional minute or until the cheese just begins to melt. Remove from the heat and set aside while you assemble the burgers.

While the burgers are grilling, split buns open. Brush cut side with a little mayonnaise, place on a flat griddle pan to toast. Wrap in foil, keep in a warm oven until ready to assemble the burgers.

To assemble the burger, slather some barbecue sauce on the top and bottom bun. Place an Onion Ring on the bottom bun, top with the burger. Place bacon on top of the cheese on the burger, then a slice of tomato followed by a scattering of shredded lettuce.

Serve remaining onion rings as a side to enjoy with the burgers.

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Hail to you, our King;
You alone are compassionate with our faults.