Today is the Thursday of Holy Week. That is never in dispute. But is it the last Thursday of Lent or something else entirely? Christians around the world recognize Holy Thursday as Christ’s Last Supper.
Catholics recognize today as a new Liturgical Season within the Church while still observing the Lenten Season. Holy Thursday heralds in the Holy Triduum Season, three days within the Lenten Seaon and yet set apart. It begins at the Feast of the Last Supper, and ends with an Easter Vigil as the whole of the world waits in silence. It is without question the shortest Liturgical Season of the entire year. And so for us today begins the Paschal Triduum.
Thursday of Holy Week marks the Passover Supper, Jesus’ Last Supper with His Chosen. It is the last time He will be able to speak with them privately as a man and not the Risen Lord. Can you imagine how heavy His heart must have been in those final hours before Judas betrayed Him with a kiss? Had He instructed them enough? There can be no doubt His Devine nature was confident, He knew what needed to be done, and that the will of God, the execution of His plan for redemption would be fulfilled. But was His human side just as sure? Would Peter, upon whom the Church would be built, fulfill his chosen path as the First Bishop of Rome? After all, Jesus knew that Peter would deny Him three times. With such fear of reprisal, would he rise to his calling as the founder of the Christian Faith, the Vicar of Christ? When He looked at Peter, was He sure? Even in doubt, He continued to do all that needed to be done.
As a final act Jesus instituted the Mass; complete with the Sacrament of Communion. Do this in memory of Me. This is My body. This is My blood. His instructions were clear. As a Catholic, when we hear the bells rung as the host is lifted, we know that the Holy Spirit is in our midst. Heaven and earth are one at that moment. We are in His presence. There is nothing symbolic about it.
Sanctus, Sanctus, Sanctus Dominus Deus Sabaoth
(Holy, Holy, Holy Lord of hosts)
Pleni sunt caeli et terra gloria tua
(Heaven and earth are full of Your glory)
Hosanna in Excelsis
(Hosanna in the highest)
Benedictus qui venit in nomine Domini.
(Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord)
Hosanna in Excelsis
(Hosanna in the highest)
Italian Skillet Chicken with Potatoes and Cherry Peppers
6 slices Bacon
2 lb small Red Bliss Potatoes
10 Pearl Onions
1/2 cup Canola Oil
8 Chicken Legs
Kosher Salt to taste
2 tablespoons Olive Oil
4 small Red Cherry Peppers
4 sprigs Rosemary, more for garnish
Cut the bacon slices in half crosswise, roll up each piece and secure with a wooden toothpick, trim the wood to hold the bacon without being in the way. Clean potatoes, cut in half and set aside. Peel onions, trim and cut in half, set aside.
Heat the canola oil in a large skillet over high heat. Season the chicken with salt. Add half the chicken to the skillet, skin-side down, scatter half of the bacon around the chicken and cook until the chicken is golden brown and the bacon is crisp, 4 to 6 minutes per side. Transfer the chicken and bacon to a plate. Repeat with the remaining chicken and bacon.
Wipe out the skillet and return to medium heat. In a medium bowl, toss the potatoes with the olive oil and season with salt. Transfer the potatoes and any oil in the bowl to the skillet. Arrange the potatoes cut-side down and cook until golden brown and crisp, 6 to 8 minutes. Turn and cook on the rounded sides until crisp, about 2 minutes. Add the onions, peppers, and rosemary and toss to combine. Cook, covered, shaking the pan occasionally, for about 5 or 6 minutes.
Return the bacon and chicken (along with any juices) to the pan, nestling it among the vegetables. Cook, covered, with an occasional shake of the pan occasionally, for another 5 minutes or so. Uncover and cook until any liquid has evaporated, the chicken is cooked through, and the potatoes are tender, about 10 minutes.
Serve this skillet supper with a simple salad and enjoy.
What shall I render to the Lord,
for all the things He hath rendered unto me?
I will take the chalice of salvation;
and I will call upon the name of the Lord.
Our blessing-cup is a communion with the Blood of Christ.
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