Sunday Morning Benediction

Today marks the 7th Sunday in the Easter Season. It is a time of reflection, prayer and oddly enough waiting. The resurrection has happened. Christ as defeated death.

For 40 days Jesus remained on earth as the Risen Lord. While He was not always physically in their presence, His apostles knew they were not alone. His disciples stayed united in prayer, trusting God’s promises. Christ prayed for them, seeking God’s protection as He himself prepared to ascend once again to His rightful place in heaven.

The Easter Season is such a beautiful season of preparation. Yes, we who believe are saved. It’s not enough to believe. That belief needs to take root, to bring about change. Catholics are often accused of attempting to buy our way into heaven and to claim some sort of seat of privilege through good deeds and charitable works. Yes, we believe we receive graces through charitable works. But not as payment. Our faith, our acceptance of Christ, transforms us into servants of the Lord. His graces are His alone to give, they cannot be earned. However; when we do things that are pleasing to God, He does grace us with a deeper desire to love Him, a deeper desire to serve Him, a deeper desire to surrender to His will. Loving God changes who you are, and how you interact with the world around you. It’s that simple.

For me there is no greater sense of joy than to kneel before His altar and to witness Heaven and Earth together in the Holy Mass. Sundays are special. I wish I could paint a picture capturing the joy I feel on Sunday. My talents are in the kitchen. So while I cannot paint a beautiful sunrise, I can create a beautiful breakfast for my family. Enjoy.

Grilled Ham and Cheese Eggs Benedict
Grilled Ham and Cheese
6 slices Sourdough Bread
3 tablespoons Mayonnaise
3 tablespoon Parmesan Cheese
6 oz Smoked Ham slices
6 oz Monterey Jack Cheese

Note: To get that nice browned Parmesan crust, the dry stuff in the green can works best.

Heat oven to 300 degrees. Place a wire rack inside a rimmed baking sheet, place in the oven to warm. Heat a griddle or large skillet to medium heat.

Brush 3 bread slices with mayonnaise. Sprinkle with parmesan cheese. Place cheese-side-down in the skillet or griddle. Place sliced cheese on the bread, then sliced ham. Place remaining bread on top, brush with mayonnaise and parmesan.

Grill until outside is toasty and golden. Flip, continue to grill. Place sandwiches in the oven to hold.

Poached Eggs
Cooking Spray as needed
3 large Eggs

Spray the top of a poaching pan with cooking spray and fill the lower pan with water. Bring to a boil, lower heat. Crack eggs, one at a time, into a small ramekin and slide egg into the poaching cup. Cover and let eggs cook until the whites are set while the yolks are still soft and runny.

While the eggs are poaching, make the Hollandaise Sauce

Hollandaise Sauce
3 Egg Yolks
1/2 tablespoon Lemon Juice
Cayenne pepper to taste
8 tablespoons Butter

Separate eggs. Reserve whites for another use or discard. In the container of a blender, combine the egg yolks, lemon juice and cayenne pepper. Cover, and blend for about 5 seconds.

Place the butter in a glass measuring cup. Heat butter in the microwave for about 30 seconds, stir, the continue to microwave for another 30 seconds, or until completely melted and hot. Set the blender on high speed, and pour the butter into the egg yolk mixture in a thin stream. It should thicken almost immediately.

Note: To keep the sauce warm until serving placing the blender container in a pan of simmering hot water or pour into a thermos that has been heated with boiling water.

To Assemble: Plate grilled sandwiches. Top each with a poached egg and Hollandaise Sauce. Serve and enjoy.

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Beloved: If you partake of the sufferings of Christ,
Rejoice that when His glory shall be revealed,
You may also be glad with exceeding joy
1 Peter 4:13