In birth, you preserved your virginity; in death, you did not abandon the world, O Theotokos. As mother of life, you departed to the source of life, delivering our souls from death by your intercessions.

Shudder, O ye heavens! and, O earth, give ear unto these words: God descended once before for our sake; He descends again today for His Mother.

Blessed Feast! This is the fourth highest feast in the Church year, following the Paschal feast, Pentecost, and the feast of the Nativity. Church teaching is that all the apostles but Thomas were gathered mystically around the Blessed Mother as she died, and were there for her burial. Thomas, arriving three days later, was taken to her tomb, only to find that it was empty. This Church teaching of the assumption of her body into heaven is not just a pious tradition, but holds some deep spiritual and physical truths for us. It is a sign and reminder to us that not only Christ resurrected bodily, but that we all will rise. Also, we now know, as they didn't then, that all women bear the DNA of each and every child borne to them in their bodies forever. So, by raising His mother, our Lord made sure that His resurrection was complete on this earth. If this had not happened, then He would not be completely risen. What a wonder and miracle!

So many times, when people deny the honor to the Theotokos, it is really a dishonor to the Lord. Even denying her the title Theotokos ends up declaring that Christ was either not God in her womb, or that He is not God incarnate. It is not intentional, but I think a good question to ask oneself when putting her "in her place" is what does this mean about Christ and His divinity? If it ends up dishonoring Him, calling His divinity into question, or lessening Him, it isn't a good thing. Likewise, so many people say that there is too much honor given her, without actually considering whether or not they honor her enough or even at all. What is just the right amount of honor? Surely it isn't debasing the woman who bore and raised our Lord? Jesus was born a Jew and fulfilled the law. He loved and honored His mother, and as we could not have had Him without her, why would we want that, instead of following His example?

Since it was the feast of Saint Laurence last week, Rich said that we should grill the kofta. So, we did. And he shaped them like little men. Also, while we ended up moving a few things around, because it is a busy fair week this week, we will probably not see them until next week. We ended up with a ton of lettuce, so I am making loads of salads this week, too. It will be great in sandwiches and wraps when we need to run for fair, also.

Jerome's diet means that I am not going to try to do the fair food night this year. There are just too many things that he can't eat involved, I don't know that I can figure them all out for that whole meal, and I don't want him to be left out of the festivities, so we will put it off and eat it at a later date. However, that doesn't mean that we aren't baking up a storm. Two of the girls, Jerome and I are all entering things into the fair. So, today and tomorrow, there is a lot of baking going on. We will have to do our family celebration on Sunday.

• Sunday- Feast of the Dormition of the Theotokos, Blessed Virgin Mary
  Breakfast: Omelet with Taco Meat, Cheese, and Salsa (Scrambled Chickpeas for Jerome), Toast (Gluten-free for Jerome), Bananas (Pears for Jerome), Milk and Coffee
  Dinner: Baked Pasta with Meat Sauce Fresh Herbs (Gluten-free for Jerome), Chopped Salad with Fresh Herbs
• Monday
  Breakfast: Potato Pancakes, Fried Ham, Sliced Radishes, Milk and Coffee
  Dinner: Tender and Crisp Chicken with Sweet Tomatoes, Artisan Bread (Gluten-free for Jerome), Green Salad with Pomegranate Vinaigrette
• Tuesday
  Breakfast: Steel Cut Oats with Pumpkin (Grain-free Granola with Coconut Milk for Jerome), Milk and Coffee
  Dinner: Spiced Chicken with Tomatoes and Onions, Rice, Green Salad
• Wednesday
  Breakfast: Cream Cheese and Toast (Gluten-free Toast and Faux Cheese for Jerome) with Sliced Cucumbers, Tea with Honey
  Dinner: Mediterranean Pasta Salad on a Bed of Lettuce, Fruit Plate, Dairy-free Coffee Ice Cream
• Thursday
  Breakfast: Apple Coconut Breakfast Bowls with Honey Peanut Butter, Tea with Honey
  Dinner: Slow Cooked Coconut Chicken and Vegetables, Rice, Green Salad
• Friday - Feast of Saint Bernard
  Breakfast: Peanut Butter and Peach Jelly on Toast (Gluten-free for Jerome), Tea and Honey
  Dinner: Chinese Chickpea Salad (no sesame oil), Fruit Plate
• Saturday
  Breakfast: Pancakes (Gluten and dairy-free for Jerome) with Maple Syrup, Bacon, Fruit, Milk and Coffee
  Dinner: Slow Cooked Lamb Shoulder, Chickpea Pilaf, Chopped Salad

Rejoice, O Virgin Mother of God, Mary, full of grace, the Lord is with thee! Blessed art though amongst women, and blessed is the fruit of thy womb, for thou hast borne the savior of our souls.

Dominic said that when we pray this prayer, or any other Marian prayers like the Hail Mary, which are based on the text of Luke, we are placing ourselves in the prophecy from Mary's own lips: "For behold, henceforth all generations will call me blessed" Luke 1:48

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. Linking to Menu Plan Monday

Labels: Birthday, Blessed Virgin, Church Year, Faith and Morality, Family, Governor Inslee Needs a Frozen Fish to the Forehead, Homemaking, Homeschooling, Menu Plans, Special Diet, Tales from the Kitchen, Theotokos