A Touch of Greek on a Beautiful Friday

Fridays are special in so many ways. For students, it means no school for the next few days. For most working folks, it means their time is their own. And for us old school Catholics Fridays mean skipping that big, juicy steak.

It should be obvious why Friday’s heralding in the weekend is so special to most of the world, but what is up with those Catholics? As a Catholic in the pre-Vatican II era, we did what we did because the Church said so. No questions asked. It was something we had done for so long, no one remembered why.

To grow in my faith has also required asking that pesky question – Why? And asking meant searching for an answer. We are so lucky today to have the internet and its volumes of answers at our fingertips. Even so, it seems that no one has the absolute definitive answer; although there are a number of theories floating about that make sense.

Abstinence, like fasting is a form of discipline in faith. Christ went without when He was deep in prayer. It was during His greatest fast that the devil tempted Him in the desert. When we look closely at those temptations, we recognize many of the same temptations we face today. Power, positions of prominence, wealth, temptations of the flesh, and a lack of trust in God’s holy plan. Both fasting and abstinence teach discipline, with an eye toward growing in stronger in faith and trust. While we might never know exactly when or why abstinence on Fridays and other Holy Days became a part of Catholic tradition, the fruits of these discipline are obvious.

For those who continue to practice Abstinence on Fridays, it draws our attention first to the day of the week – Friday. Christ was crucified on a Friday. His was a sacrifice of the flesh for us. Abstinence is a sacrifice of the flesh to honor Him. While it would be impossible for us to ever repay Christ for our redemption, we can make symbolic gestures. These serve to bring His sacrifice more clearly into focus in our everyday lives. Abstinence requires discipline. Just as a faithful walk with God takes discipline. With each generation, the world seems to become louder with distractions. Even the best of people struggle to do good, to make room in our busy lives for just hour of prayer on His Holy Days of Obligation. We forget to give thanks in the mornings, and to sing His praises throughout the day. When things are good, we take that for granted. When things are bad, we often lash out in anger. God, why have you forsaken me? The more we grown in faith the better we are equiped to manuver the ups and downs of life.

Bless us O Lord
And these Thy gifts
We are about to receive
Through Christ Our Lord
May it nourish our bodies
And strengthen our souls
That we may serve You better

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Greek Tuna Salad
1 head Green Leaf Lettuce
2 (5 oz) cans Albacore Tuna in Water
1/2 cup Cherry or Grape Tomatoes
1 Cucumber
1/2 Red Onion
2 tablespoons fresh Oregano
2 tablespoons Fresh Parsley
2 tablespoons Olive Oil
1 tablespoon fresh Lemon Juice
Salt to taste
Black Pepper to taste
1/4 cup Kalamata Olives
Feta Cheese

Tear the lettuce leaves, scatter over a large serving platter as a base for the salad. Set aside.

Drain tuna, flake with a fork. Cut tomatoes in half. Peel and coarsely chop the cucumber. Ct onion in half from root to tip, reserve half for another purpose. Peel and cut remaining half into bite-size pieces. Coarsely chop the oregano and parsley.

Place tuna in a large bowl. Add tomatoes, cucumber, onion, oregano and parsley. Toss to blend. Drizzle with oil and lemon juice. Taste and season with salt and pepper. Scatter tuna mixture over the bed of lettuce. Add olives, whole or sliced. Sprinkle with feta cheese for that final touch.

I will give thanks to the LORD with all my heart
in the company and assembly of the just.
Great are the works of the LORD,
exquisite in all their delights.