Honoring Our Parents on this Holy Day

Today is the 17th Sunday of Ordinary Time. It is National Honor Our Parents Day. Fittingly enough, it is also the Memorial Feast of Mary’s parents, Saints Anne and Joachim.

What does it mean to honor our parents? What did God mean when He gave this as a commandment? To honor your father and mother is the first commandment in Exodus 20 that contains a promise from God.

Honor your father and mother that your days may be long in the land that the Lord, your God, is giving you.

Saint Paul refers to this promise in Ephesians. He does so for two reasons. The first is to bring Mosaic Law into clear context for those new to Christianity that were not under the subject of Mosaic Law. These laws were given to the Jews, while the gentiles had no obligation to obey. And yet as His children, we are all subject to those very same commandments. Saint Paul also wanted to elevate the importance of the Christian Family and its impact on God’s ultimate plan. We have a moral obligation to honor our parents. And in fulfilling that obligation, we also receive God’s blessing. To honor our parents is to show respect and appreciation for their sacrifices, their wisdom and their guidance in our lives. Why is this so important to God? Because He is our Heavenly Father, and He seeks a loving relationship with us. If we honor our parents, how much more will we honor Him?

I feel very fortunate in that I was blessed with two loving parents. While my mother and I had our issues, and my Dad and I no longer seem to see eye-to-eye, I love them both with every fiber of my being. I appreciate all they have done. I would not be the person I am today without them. Thank you both.

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Skillet-Roasted Lemon Chicken Thighs with Potatoes
3 teaspoons Olive Oil, divided
2 medium Lemons
4 Garlic Cloves, divided
1 lb Fingerling Potatoes
1/2 teaspoon Salt, divided
1/4 teaspoon Black Pepper, divided
8 boneless Chicken thighs
1/4 teaspoon crushed dried Rosemary
8 Vine Cherry Tomatoes

Heat oven to 450-degrees. Coat a cast-iron skillet with about a teaspoon or so of olive oil, just enough to coat the bottom and sides of the skillet. Set aside.

Trim ends from 1 lemon, thinly slice. Zest remaining lemon. Peel 2 garlic cloves, mince and set aside. Peel remaining cloves, mince and set aside separately. Scrub fingerling potatoes, cut in half lengthwise, set aside.

In a bowl combine 1 teaspoon olive oil, 2 of the minced garlic cloves, the lemon zest, 1/4 teaspoon salt and 1/8 teaspoon black pepper. Rub mixture over the chicken thighs, set aside.

In another bowl combine rosemary, remaining olive oil, garlic cloves, salt and pepper. Add sliced potatoes along with the tomatoes, toss to coat. Set aside.

Arrange lemon slices in a single layer in the prepared skillet. Place chicken over the lemon slices. Arrange potatoes and tomatoes over the chicken. Place in the heated oven and roast for 35 to 40 minutes or so, until the chicken is no longer pink and the potatoes are tender.

Buttery Lemon-Herb Broccoli
1/2 lb Broccoli
2 teaspoons Lemon-Herb Seasoning Blend
4 tablespoons Butter
1 gallon Zip-lock Freezer Bag

Cut broccoli into individual pieces and place into the bag. Season with Garlic-Herb seasoning. Shake bag a little to distribute seasoning. Lay bag flat on a micro-wave safe plate. Cut butter into small pieces, distribute the pieces throughout the bag.

Seal bag, leaving small gap at the center of closure to vent. Micro-wave on HIGH 90 seconds. Turn bag over, micro-wave on HIGH an additional 90 seconds. Check broccoli for doneness. It should be hot and tender-crisp. If still firm, turn bag again and micro-wave on HIGH for another minute. Repeat until broccoli is heated through, tender but not “soft”.

CAREFULLY open bag (it will be steaming hot) and empty into a serving dish. Toss and serve.

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Let Your kindness comfort me
according to Your promise to Your servants.
Let Your compassion come to me that I may live,
for Your law is my delight.