Making omelets is not one of my gifts. When I order an omelet at one of those breakfast buffet where I watch the chief make the omelet it comes out so perfect. The mushrooms, ham and olives uniformly mixed throughout the egg. The cheese in the proper proportion melted over the edge as the omelet folds back on its self. As I admire the final product on my plate, I catch myself thinking, “I can do that.” Well.
Last night, Friday night, I decided to have an omelet made with mushrooms, tomatoes and cheese. Finding something I can cook that doesn’t include meat is a unique challenge, especially since I forgot to buy some fish at the store last week. My omelet looked more like scrambled eggs than an omelet. The chief makes it look so easy. How does he do that?
I have so many menu choices, even on a Friday in Lent. When it comes to food and eating, the question is not, will I be able to eat rather it’s what shall I eat. Tonight do I want beef or pork, chicken or fish, rice or potatoes, green beans or snap peas. The cupboards are full and I expect them to be.
I decided, based on a homily I heard recently, to take a food item with me to Mass on Sunday and put it in the Food Pantry. I pray that this practice might help me approach food and eating with gratitude and give me a new appreciation for almsgiving. It’s so easy, and I might say painless to write a check and stick it in my wallet. But carrying a bag of canned food for the pantry will at least call me to focus on how gifted I am in a world where many people are not gifted with nearly as much as I am.
I pray that your celebration of St. Joseph’s feast day is a festive one.
“The son of David will live for ever.” (Ps 89:37)