We are nearing the end of the fast. Properly, this Sunday is called Passion Sunday, was the beginning of the final week of Lent, with Holy Week being its own separate and distinct observance. Passion Sunday gave the general overview of the last days of Christ's life on earth, while with Palm Sunday, we enter into each day of that final week with Him quite specifically. Unfortunately, in the West, this has largely been relegated to a footnote to Palm Sunday, rather than its own observance. So, right on the heels of celebrating the Hosannas of Christ's triumphal entry, we often slide into the Good Friday narrative. This is a shame; it is jarring, and robs parishioners of the real walk of that final week of His life with Him during Holy week, from Palm Sunday, the first, celebratory, day, the instructive events of Holy Monday and Tuesday, with the fig tree and the annointing with perfume and oil, through His betrayal on Spy Wednesday, His Last Supper and the institution of the priesthood and the Eucharist, His arrest and trial, on Thursday, His crucifixion on Friday, and His rest in the tomb, as He harrowed Hell to free those captive to death on Saturday. We live through the events of that week each year. It seems to me that the modern church seems to think it is too much to ask of her people to take that walk with Him for one week each year. Meanwhile, our calendars and prayer books still show that this is the historic practice and we preserve it in this way only. We will keep His final days in mind this week, meditating on His words and actions, as we prepare for the hard Via Dolorosa we will embark on next Monday.

Passion Sunday marks the last week of Lent, as a summary of what Christ did to rescue us from sin and death, as we ready ourselves to walk each day of the way of sorrow with Him and, in the East, ends with Lazarus Saturday, the first resurrection which points to the greater one. We have begun observing it ourselves, as one of the commemorations that is significant to the life of the Church. Jesus raised Lazarus in anticipation of His own resurrection - and ours. One tradition for Lazarus Saturday is to make sweet, little breads shaped like a man wrapped in linens (Lazarakia). Another is to permit the eating of caviar (fish eggs) as little eggs, before we get to have eggs again on the Paschal feast.

Saint Lazarus lived for 30 years more after being raised by Jesus and became the first bishop of Cyprus - he had more work to do. We especially love how Jesus shows us that death is still our enemy with Lazarus. Even though He was about to raise him from the dead, He still wept at Lazarus' death. There was no nonsense about how he had gone to a better place or how he was somehow free of this mortal coil (which is gnostic heresy). He wept. This is because death is the enemy of all and Christ never wanted anyone to die. Raising Lazarus was His last major act before walking the Via Dolorosa of Holy Week, which is why Lazarus is remembered on the Saturday before Palm Sunday.

As for our Lent, I am pleased that, with the exception of a few half gallons of almond or oat milk, we have not used any fake dairy or meat or egg the entire time. I don't really count coconut milk, because it is a real ingredient in real historic cuisines and that oat/almond milk is a concession to my husband who adulterates his coffee shamelessly. We have done a better job of eating the many good things that are naturally Lenten. This led to the kids insisting that we skip the tabbouleh this year, since it is composed of vegetables and grains, and they say that is what they eat during Lent and can eat at any other time that isn't a feasting time. I don't know how I feel about that.

In all seriousness, this season has been an incredible time of growth for all of us, as well, though I don't know if all the kids are recognizing it in themselves. I pray that this Lent has been holy and blessed for you and that you have grown in spiritual strength and in love of Christ and His Church. Blessed Fast!

• Sunday
  Breakfast: Ful, Sah'awiq, Bread, Chopped Chopped Tomatoes, Onions, Peppers, Radishes, and Olives, Tea with Honey and Coffee
  Dinner: Eggplant Gyros, Marinated Sumac Red Onions, Sliced Veggies, Kalamata Olives, Tamis, Taratoor, Toum, Fruit/Sides/Salads brought by Parishioners
• Monday
  Breakfast: Scrambled Chickpeas with Veggies, Toast, Mint Tea with Honey
  Dinner: Roasted Brussels Sprouts, Lemon and Herb Rice Pilaf, Fruit Plate
• Tuesday
  Breakfast: Oatmeal with Chopped Apples, Raisins, Brown Sugar and Spices, Tea with Honey and Coffee
  Dinner: Spanish Poor Man's Potatoes, Portugeuse Spicy Rice, Green Salad, Sliced Oranges
• Wednesday
  Breakfast: Potato Breakfast Burritos, Salsa, Grapefruit Cups, Tea with Honey and Coffee
  Dinner: Rice Stuffed Tomatoes, Sautéed Peppers and Onions with Garlic, Bread, Sliced Apples
• Thursday
  Breakfast: Peanut Butter Toast with Honey, Sliced Apples, Tea with Honey
  Dinner: Curried Chickpea Salad (Sandwiches or Stuffed in Tomatoes), Sliced Oranges
• Friday - Feast of Pope Saint Leo the Great
  Breakfast: Sweet Potato Hash, Sliced Oranges, Mint Tea with Honey
  Dinner: Lenten Borscht, Dark Rye Bread (GF for Jerome), Fruit Plate
• Saturday - Lazarus Saturday
  Breakfast: Tomato Toast (GF for Jerome), Grapefruit Cups, Tea with Honey and Coffee
  Dinner: French Vegetable Soup, Green Salad with Mustard Vinaigrette, French Bread, Blackberry Sorbet Bars

What is on your menu this week? If you want a recipe, ask and I will provide it as soon as I can. If there are any starred recipes, I will follow up separately with a weekly recipe round up on Saturday.

Labels: Church Year, Faith and Morality, Family, Fasting as a Family, Homemaking, Lent, Menu Plans, Passion Sunday, Tales from the Kitchen