The Reason Behind The Season, And The Food Blog

Grace builds on nature; so goes an ancient Catholic axiom. One of my greatest passions is cooking - it's something that's come naturally for as long as I remember, and one of my most favorite things to do. Once upon a time, I even dreamed of having my own restaurant, or better yet, my own catering service (better, and more flexible hours!). Well, looks as if that "dream" came true in an unexpected but highly satisfying manner - I cook and chop and spend perhaps a third of my "working" hours doing chores pertaining to the kitchen, to feed a large number of banquet guests, who, for the most part, are very appreciative of what they're served. The only difference is, I cater to a different kind of banquet: the kind mentioned in Luke 14:13-14, one of the most important verses of scripture that served as an important signpost on my journey Home. "Rather, when you hold a banquet, invite the poor, the crippled, the lame, the blind; blessed indeed will you be because of their inability to repay you. For you will be repaid at the resurrection of the righteous."

I think that among the most valuable lessons God has taught me in my work in the He Cares kitchen is that every time we gather with His poor for a meal that sates their physical, and, eventually, spiritual hunger, we are actually having lunch with the Lord. For indeed, He said so Himself: "Amen, I say to you, whatever you did for one of these least brothers of Mine, you did for Me." (Matthew 25:40)

I've been meaning to write a book particularly about the blessings of this kitchen ministry, and how to feed the multitudes (without ever running out of loaves or fishes! God truly provides) on a tight mission budget, and how to get creative with whatever you find in the pantry and the fridge. But for the meantime, yet another blog about all these things - recipes, reflections, rumblings of the tummy - will have to suffice.

Grace truly builds on nature...the Lord gives us gifts and talents which should ultimately be directed back to Him, in loving service and for His greater glory. I cook and chop and try to be creative about it; there are days I have to get up at the break of dawn or stay up until the wee hours "slaving" away at the stove, and don't get paid a single centavo. But I'm not complaining: it turns out that my Boss is the best Employer on the planet - and Beyond. I couldn't ask for anything more than to be in His service, now and forevermore.