A Little Sizzle on Holy Tuesday

As Jesus walked with His chosen inner circle on that Tuesday from Bethany to Jerusalem He knew these walks together would soon come to an end. His heart grew heavy, knowing there was so much more to say and so little time left to say it.

Christ was God incarnate, made flesh. His Godly nature gave Him the strength to endure what needed to be done. We all accept that as fact. Yet we rarely think about His human side. He was not spared a moment of the pain their beatings would bring, the humiliation endured and the unimaginable suffering He felt as the nails of our sins were pounded into His sinless flesh. Those are the realities we would rather not dwell upon. One of the differences between other Christians and Catholic Christians is the Cross. One is empty, as a reminder that He is risen. The other is not, as a reminder of the price He paid for our forgiveness.

One of most important events of Holy Tuesday can be found in the Gospels of Matthew, Mark and Luke. The setting is the Mount of Olives, overlooking Jerusalem. It is the Olivet Discourse.

As Jesus was sitting on the Mount of Olives, the disciples came to him privately. “Tell us,” they said, “when will this happen and what will be the sign of our coming and of the end of ages.” – Matthew 24:3

He answered them with predictions and warnings that they could not understand. For them, and even for us today, it would have been much better had Jesus spoke plainly. He did not. He spoke of the dangers of being misled by false profits, those claiming to Him but were not. He talked about earthquakes and famines. We’ve experienced those, and yet He has not returned. He also spoke of persecution of the faithful. There are those who point to the world today and say “Look, they mock us because we are His followers.” Are these the end times? Perhaps. His greatest messages is this – stand ready. If you have wronged someone, seek forgiveness. If someone has wronged you, forgive them. Remove hatred from your hearts. Will the end times happen in my life time or yours? I haven’t a clue. But I do know this – there are two judgments. The first happens when we die. We are judged by what we have done and what we have failed to do. Catholics believe it is during this judgement that the penance of purgatory is carried out. The second is the Great Judgment at the end of times. My own personal take is if I pass the first test of my faith well, secentenced to time in purgatory to atone for my sins rather than hell, I have nothing to fear by the Great Judgement. I will be made ready.

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Roasted Tequila Game Hens
2 Game Hens
1/3 cup Tequila
1/3 cup Lime Juice
1/2 tablespoon Garlic Powder
1 tablespoon Taco Seasoning
Cayenne Pepper to taste
Hot Pepper Blend to taste, optional
1/2 cup Chicken Stock
Salt to taste
Black Pepper to taste

Note: We grow our own peppers. I dry them for about 6 months to a year, then grind the peppers to create a Pepper Blend that is to the extreem – just a pinch is all you need. It’s a blend of 10 different peppers. Everything from Jalapeños to Scorpions and Reapers.

Butterfly game hens by removing the backbone with scissors, press to flatten as much as possible. Place hens meat side up in a non-reactive glass casserole dish or marinating container and set aside.

In a bowl, whisk Tequila and lime juice with garlic powder, taco seasoning and cayenne pepper. Add Chicken Stock, whisk to blend. Season to taste with salt and pepper.

Pour marinade over hens. Cover and refrigerate 4 hours, turning midway for even soaking.

Heat oven to 425-degrees. Place hens on a rack set over a roasting pan or jelly roll pan. Brush with marinade, place in the oven to roast for about 20 minutes until golden brown and juices are still tinged with pink.

Turn hens skin side up, continue to roast for another 10 minutes. Turn oven from bake to broil. Broil until nicely browned, about 5 minutes or so until cooked through.

For Serving
1 can Mexican Style Corn
6 Flour Tortillas

Warm corn in a saucepan with a little butter. While the corn is heated, warm the tortillas on a flat skillet. Serve with chicken and enjoy.

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Give ear, ye islands, and hearken, ye people from afar.
The Lord has called me from the womb;
From the bowels of my mother
He has been mindful of my name.
Isaiah 49:1