Meals with our mother make for fondest memories

Some of my fondest memories are those that include both meals and my mother. I am sure the same is true for many others. I can think back to my youth and recall those happy times as I grew up — and even challenging times as I grew older — all being buttressed by my mother’s presence and the smells and tastes of meals that either I shared with her or she prepared for me.

God’s great understanding of our humanity is so keen that He buttresses the ultimate act of Jesus’ love for us, His death on the cross, in the same way, by leaving us His mother and the Eucharistic meal.

As Jesus is giving His Body and Blood for us on the Cross, after celebrating the Last Supper, He also gives His mother to the disciple John, and to the Church. But there is much more here when we listen to the words that are said. When Jesus addresses His mother, He calls her “woman,” just as He did at the wedding feast at Cana. Jesus calling His mother “woman” seems rather odd; however, He is linking her directly to the creation story and the first to be called “woman,” Eve.

Throughout his letters, St. Paul interprets Jesus as the new Adam who reconciles the relationship between God and humanity that was torn apart by the first man. If Jesus is the new Adam, then is Mary the new Eve?

It was the disobedience of Adam and Eve that separated humanity from God, while it is the obedience of Jesus and Mary that reconciles humanity to God, restoring what was lost. Jesus’ obedience to the will of the Father, which brought Him to the cross, is made possible by the obedience of the Blessed Mother. When Mary said, “Let it be done to me according to your word,” she made possible the Incarnation, God made man. However, Mary’s obedience did not stop at the Annunciation but continued to the Cross. In obedience and trust, she watched her Son be put to death, although He was without sin. Mary is not only the new Eve, as Jesus is the new Adam, but Mary is the Eve whom God deserves, perfectly obedient to His will.

The Lord gives us Himself by giving the Church the meal of His Body and Blood, as well as His mother. What would others learn about you by knowing your mother? What can we learn about our God through the gifts of the Eucharistic meal and our Blessed Mother?

MONSIGNOR JAMIE GIGANTIELLO is the Vicar for Development of the Diocese of Brooklyn and Host of NET TV cooking show, “Breaking Bread” (Netny.tv/shows/breaking-bread/), and pastor of Our Lady of Mt. Carmel – Annunciation Parish, Brooklyn.

Monsignor Jamie's Greek-style Chicken Kebabs

Ingredients:

3 Fresh Lemons (Juiced)
3 Fresh Limes (Juiced)
2 Lbs. Chicken (White Meat Cubed)
½ Cup Olive Oil
¼ Cup Oregano
¼ Cup Minced Garlic
Salt & Pepper

Directions:

Mix lemon juice, lime juice, olive oil, oregano, salt, and pepper in a bowl.Place the cubed chicken in the bowl and mix well. Allow chicken to marinate for three hours.

Place the chicken cubes on skewers.
Cook on grill until done; enjoy kebabs with favorite grilled vegetables!

Tip: Don’t forget to sear the meat first at high temperature, to lock in the juices; then reduce the flame.