March 18, Wednesday

Apostolic Availability

Ruthie Blacksea, chef at the Jesuit Novitiate in Culver City, California, and Jesuit family member — her brother and uncle are Jesuits — devoted an entire episode of her cooking series “Pre-Prans with Ruthie” to her thoughts on Apostolic Availability…and meatloaf! Just click play!

Sunday Readings - Week 4

2 CHR 36:14-16, 19-23
EPH 2:4-10
JN 3:14-21

English
http://www.usccb.org/bible/readings/031515-fourth-sunday-lent.cfm

Español
http://www.usccb.org/bible/lecturas/031515-fourth-sunday-lent.cfm

A procedural note: our reflections and prayers will refer to the Sunday readings for the week, not the daily readings.

My Mom’s Meatloaf
by Ruthie Blacksea

Meatloaf Recipe
Two eggs, beaten
3/4 cup milk
1 cup crushed saltines
1/2 cup chopped onion
Salt and pepper
1 1/2 lbs. lean ground beef
1 c. ketchup
1/2 c. packed brown sugar
2 tsp. Worcestershire sauce

Preheat oven to 425. In large bowl, mix first six ingredients. Shape into loaf and place on ungreased cookie sheet. In small bowl, mix ketchup, sugar and Worcestershire sauce. Spread on top of meatloaf and bake for 50 minutes or until internal temp is 160 degrees. Let stand 15 minutes before slicing.

Smashed Red Potatoes

1 lb. red potatoes
2 Tbsp salt
Milk and butter

Cut potatoes into 1/2 in. cubes. Place into pot of water and the salt. Bring to a boil and cook until fork tender, about 25 min. Drain well, return to pan and mash with a bit of butter and milk to desired taste and consistency.

Ruthie Blacksea has spent the last 25 years raising two children, teaching yoga and cooking for family and friends. She is the kitchen manager at the Jesuit Novitiate in Culver City, California, and the host of the IN Network’s food series “Pre-Prans with Ruthie,” available on YouTube and at RuthieBlacksea.tv.

Jesus,
I speak to you as a member of your large, loving,
complicated family;
I speak with you as I would to an older brother
who knows exactly what our family is about.
From that place,
give me the ability to love the world as my family,
give me the chance to serve them with the gifts I bring
and not fixate on what I don’t have,
what I can’t give.
Give me ways into the community that surrounds me;
help me to give to them
so I can receive all from you.
Amen.

It seems to me that our three basic needs, for food and security and love, are so mixed and mingled and entwined that we cannot straightly think of one without the others. So it happens that when I write of hunger, I am really writing about love and the hunger for it, and warmth and the love of it and the hunger for it… and then the warmth and richness and fine reality of hunger satisfied…and it is all one.
: M.F.K. Fisher

As I watch my priest lay the communion table for the gathered believers, I remember why eating attentively is worth all the effort: The table is not only a place where we can become present to God. The table is also a place where He becomes present to us.
: Lauren F. Winner

I believe that imagination is stronger than knowledge. That myth is more potent than history. That dreams are more powerful than facts. That hope always triumphs over experience. That laughter is the only cure for grief. And I believe that love is stronger than death.
: Robert Fulghum

Multimedia Video Scene from BABETTE’S FEAST (1988) Music Si tu vois ma mere (S. Bechet)

Learn more about:
Food and Faith
http://bit.ly/1FB8tNe

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https://play.spotify.com/user/beajesuit/