To Have the Immaculate Heart of Mary

Some feast days are grounded in scripture. Some are inspired by the Lord. Today is the Feast of the Immaculate Heart of Mary.

I’ve heard people say if it isn’t in the Bible then we should ignore it. That would mean all that God gave us, all He would ever give us, is contained in a book that was organized by men. The Catholic Church might not have written Holy Scripture, but it did bind the Word of God into a book we now know as the Bible. Doesn’t it make sense that this same Church continues to be led by the Holy Spirit?

In 1944 Pope Pius XII instituted the Feast of the Immaculate Heart of Mary. It was to be observed on August 22 as part of the Octave of the Assumption of Mary (August 15). Then in 1969 Pope Paul VI moved the Feast of the Immaculate Heart of Mary to immediately follow the Solemnity of the Sacred Heart of Jesus. While both of these days make sense, Pope Paul VI wanted there to be a clear link between the Heart of our Lord and that of His mother. The point is to strive to imitate Mary’s pure heart. Her heart is overflowing with love for Jesus, just as our hearts should be.

So often I’ve heard people say that Catholics worship Mary or that we pray to the saints. Yes, there are prayers dedicated to particular saints. These prayers are not a form of worship but rather a conversation with a person we respect. If you ask a friend to pray for you, are you also worshiping that friend? If your pastor prays with you, is that a form of worship? Hardly. Praying to a saint is the same thing. Maybe we should call it praying “with” rather then to although we are speaking to that particular saint. While other faiths outside the Catholic Church recognize saints, Lenten restrictions and even ashes on Ash Wednesday, Catholics are the only Christians with devotions dedicated to Mary. We recognize her as someone with great influence over her Son in a way that only a mother can have.

The wedding at Cana is the greatest example of Mary’s gentle influence over her Son.

“Woman, it is not yet my time.” It seems to me Jesus was not in favor of solving the problem of a wine shortage at the wedding in Cana. Yet Mary did not argue with Him. No, she merely told the servants “Do as he tells you.” That was it. No need to discuss further.

Now I ask you, isn’t she someone you would like on your side? Isn’t her pure heart made strong with love for Jesus something we should want? Then there is no need to say more.

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Dad’s Inspired Pork Tenderloin Kabobs
Dad’s Marinade
2 cups Vegetable Oil
1 cup Soy Sauce
1/4 cup Worcestershire Sauce
2 tablespoons Dry Mustard
2-1/2 teaspoon Kosher Salt
1 tablespoon Coarse Black Pepper
3/4 cup Red Wine Vinegar
1/2 cup Lemon Juice
3 Garlic Cloves
1-1/2 teaspoons Parsley Flakes

In a large non-reactive bowl whisk together oil, soy sauce, Worcestershire Sauce, Vinegar and lemon juice. Season with dry mustard, Kosher salt and coarse black pepper.

Peel garlic cloves, press directly into the marinade. Whisk in the parsley flakes, set aside.

Pork Kabobs
2 (1 lb) Pork Tenderloin
1 (16 oz) bag Pearl Onions
1 pint Cherry Tomatoes
2 Red Bell Peppers
2 Orange Bell Peppers
20 Bamboo Skewers or as needed

Cut tenderloin into 2-inch cubes. Place tenderloin pieces in a Tupperware Marinating container or in a large resealable bag that is placed in a casserole dish. Pour marinade over meat and place in refrigerator overnight. Flip container occasionally to turn meat and better saturate with marinade.

If using bamboo skewers, soak in water for 30 minutes to prevent burning. Remove meat from refrigerator and allow it to come to room temperature, about 20-30 minutes.

If using a zip-lock bag for marinating, pour meat with marinade into the casserole dish. Prep the vegetables.

If using fresh onions, blanch and peel outer layer of skin. For frozen onions, simply rinse under cold water. Remove green tops from tomatoes. Stem, seed and cut bell peppers into chunks.

Thread 1 pearl onion, 1 chunk of pork, 1 red pepper, 1 cherry tomato and 1 orange pepper onto skewer. Repeat until skewer is filled. DO NOT thread too tight or meat will not cook properly. Repeat same with remaining skewers until all the ingredients are used.

Clean and oil grate on grill well. Heat to medium heat (about 400 degrees).

Lay kabobs on the grill, cook for about 8 to 10 minutes, turning as needed to prevent burning and maintaining even cooking.

Instant Pot Rice Pilaf
1 cup Jasmine Rice
1/2 cup Orzo Pasta
1-1/2 cups Chicken Sock
1 cup frozen Peas and Carrots
2 tablespoons Onion Flakes
2 tablespoons Butter
Pinch Kosher Salt
Fresh Pepper to taste

Place the rice and pasta in the insert of the instant pot. Add stock, frozen veggies, onion flakes, butter, salt and pepper.

Close and lock lid in place. Select WHITE RICE, time 14 MINUTES, press START. Let pressure cooker vent naturally for 5 minutes once the time is up, then release remaining pressure with the value. Fluff rice and serve with the kabobs.

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Blessed is the Virgin Mary who kept the word of God
and pondered it in her heart.