The Rome Series: Worship

The second installment for 'The Rome Series,' highlighting reflections from my recent trip to Rome, Italy.

As I worshipped in Rome at Santo Spirito in Sassia, the beauty of the Church struck me. There I was, thousands of miles from home, still worshipping with the same words, with the same liturgy, surrounded with Christian brothers and sisters from many countries. Even when I stepped into a daily mass said entirely in Italian on a small street in Bracciano, a town about an hour north of Rome, I could still understand. This is the best illustration of the universality of the Church, and indicates a universal continuity of truth within it. 

“A Church which is family is also able to show the closeness and love of a father ... a Church of children who see themselves as brothers and sisters, will never end up considering anyone simply as a burden, a problem, an expense, a concern or a risk. Other persons are essentially a gift, and always remain so, even when they walk different paths. The Church is an open house, far from outward pomp, hospitable in the simplicity of her members. … This Church can indeed light up the darkness felt by so many men and women. She can credibly point them towards the goal and walk at their side, precisely because she herself first experienced what it is to be endlessly reborn in the merciful heart of the Father.”

— Pope Francis, prayer vigil at the Synod of Bishops

The meal has this same universality and connectedness. Food brings people together, bonds families and creates community. When we eat and drink of our Lord, as He instructed us, truly all of this meets in grand universality. We commune as the Body of Christ while consuming the Body of Christ. Let us no longer focus on what divides us, but relish and celebrate what connects us.

+Saturari,

Amanda

Healthy Party Foods: Skewer It!

Temple and Table is all about parties and fun gatherings!  We use them as an opportunity to have some fun with flavor and presentation of healthful foods.  Recently, T+T provided hors d'oeuvres for the album release party of His Own, a beautiful women's ministry. Below are some recipes that we served at the party! Enjoy!

Skewer sticks are an easy way to serve foods at parties and guests love them.  We used bamboo skewersand long toothpicks here, which can be found at your local grocer or party store. Simply stack the ingredients on the skewer and you are good to go!  Ingredients can be prepped a day ahead and these can be assembled several hours ahead. Here are three varieties to serve at your next get-together...

MINI CAPRESE SALAD

• Cherry tomatoes, halved
• Spinach
• Mozzarella, diced
• Balsamic glaze (see instructions below)

Balsamic Glaze

> Heat 1/2 c. balsamic vinegar in small saucepan over medium-high heat.

>Bring to a boil. Reduce to medium heat and continue simmering for 10 minutes, until reduced to a thick syrup.

>Remove from heat and allow to cool. Will continue to thicken. Drizzle over caprese skewers.

GREEK ANTIPASTI

• Artichoke hearts, marinated in oil, quartered
• Roasted red peppers, sliced
• Kalamata olives, pitted

TROPICAL FRUIT TRIO

• Kiwi, peeled and sliced
• Strawberries, halved
• Pineapple, cut into chunks

The Rome Series: Mealtime

My first post for 'The Rome Series,' highlighting reflections from my recent trip to Rome, Italy. I am excited to share my experience with the culture, food, and history with you.

Before leaving for Italy, a priest gave me a travel tip saying, “Make sure you pack a ‘whatever’ attitude” and further explained that Italians focus on people, not systems.   On relationships, not order.  I myself noticed this profoundly during mealtime, as Italian people leisurely ate meals and put care into food preparation and quality.  It was a concept ingrained into their culture and I think we would do well to learn from this.

Americans generally eat on the go, or inhale their food between working hours.  Many people eat alone.  Conversely, Italians generally have a communal, social aspect to their meals.  They do not force or rush the experience.  In fact, a waiter will rarely bring a bill expect when asked, anticipating a long dining experience for his guests.  It is the difference between a drive-through hamburger and a perfectly al dente linguine alti scampi (linguini with shrimp, yum!).

As Christians we actually have a responsibility to create a kind of reverence surrounding mealtime.  Feeding our body with fresh, seasonal foods shows respect for the gift of our bodies.  It also respects the earth and seasonality of God’s creation. St. Jean-Baptiste de la Salle had this to say, “It is so natural for people to seek pleasure in eating and drinking that Saint Paul, teaching early Christians to perform all their actions for the love and glory of God, is obliged to mention eating and drinking specifically, for it is difficult to eat without offending God. Most people eat like animals to satisfy their appetite.”  Let us not devour our food like animals, but instead invite God into our meals, that he might sanctify them, that he might elevate our conversation and give us grateful hearts. 

Think back to the last meal that you ate…did you say grace prior to eating? Did you choose food that would nourish your body?  Did you actually taste and savor your bites?  Did you interact and converse with the person with whom you were sharing the meal?  Let us enter into mealtime with intention and purpose, allowing God to permeate this everyday occurrence.  Let us be more like Italians at mealtime and focus on people, on relationships, instead of tasks.

+Saturari,

Amanda