In Our Darkest Hour

Christians today have an unfair advantage over those who followed Him to the Cross. While some of His teachings remain a mystery, often caught up in debate, we know the emptiness of today will pass. Tomorrow the world is renewed. Rejoice, for He has risen.

When the women went to the tomb on Easter Morning, it was not because they thought they might encounter Him sitting outside the tomb, smiling and ready to teach. No, they went to prepare His lifeless body. Instead they were met with an empty tomb, an angel and much confusion.

But what of those hours in between? Imagine how frightened, lost and abandon they must have felt. The empty silence must have weighed heavily on those closest to him. While we can rejoice, knowing that Easter will shatter the darkness, that sense of separation should press upon us just the same. For it is our sinful nature, our pride, our selfish disobedience that cast us from His sight.

Christians don’t think we’re better than everybody else. If anything, we know the opposite to be true. I love the Lord with all my heart, with every breath I take, and yet I know that I have failed Him and will fail Him again. The thing about sin is that all sins, no matter how small, are separations from God. I know it’s hard for us to imagine but to the Lord an unfaithful spouse is just as much a sinner in need of forgiveness as the women who gossips over the back fence. The Church does teach us that there is a difference between venial sin and mortal sin. Venial sin is easily forgiven. We are forgiven our small indiscretions each time we attend Mass without the need to even ask for forgiveness. There is no need to do more. “But only say the word, and my soul shall be healed.” A mortal sin is like a cancer, and left to fester will eventually kill our soul. It needs to be removed, cut out. A dead soul cannot enter into heaven. To rid the soul of a mortal sin requires a truly contrite heart, a sincere confession and a vow before God not to repeat the offense again. What takes place in the confessional is between the Confessor and the Lord. The Priest simply speaks the words of healing aloud “Your sin has been forgiven.” There is no Canon Law requiring any action beyond that of confession and to repent. However; the Church has always maintained that being honest with those who may have been wronged by our sin demonstrates an act of true repentance. When we restore our relationships with one another, we restore our relationship with Christ.

Lent is a time of reflection. The quiet of Saturday’s vigil is an opportunity to reconcile with those we love.

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Spicy Scrambled Egg Frittatas
12 Eggs
Salt to taste
Black Pepper to taste
1/4 Red Onion
1 Jalapeño Pepper
1/2 Red Bell Pepper
1 lb Breakfast Sausage
Pinch Red Pepper Flakes
1/2 cup Pepper Jack Cheese

Heat oven to 350-degrees. Lightly grease 12 muffin cups or line with papers.

In a bowl, beat eggs just until blended. Season with salt and pepper, set aside. Cut a quarter wedge from the onion. Peel and dice. Stem and dice Jalapeño Pepper. Stem bell pepper, cut in half. Dice half, reserving remaining half for another purpose.

In a skillet over medium-high heat, crumble the sausage. Cook until no longer pink, breaking into small pieces as it browns, about 10 minutes. Drain off grease. Add onions, peppers and a pinch of Red Pepper Flakes to the skillet, cook for about 5 minutes. Remove from heat, let cool for just a few minutes.

Add sausage mixture to the beaten eggs. Gently fold in the cheese.

Divide the mixture evenly between the prepared muffin cups. Place in the heated oven to bake for about 20 minutes, until a knife inserted near the center comes out clean.

Gently lift from muffin tins, arrange on a plate, serve and enjoy. Great with a tall glass of icy cold milk to cool the build up of spices.

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Lord, send out Your Spirit, and renew the face of the earth