“Heart and Soul”
The reality of slavery, whether in Biblical times, in American, and Canadian, history or in our own era, rightly is abhorrent. Iron chains may not be used in the international traffic of young girls as sex slaves, for example, but the bonds of imprisonment are just as brutal, the damage often irreversible.
St. Paul preached that “There is no longer Jew or Greek, there is no longer slave or free, there is no longer male and female; for all of you are one in Christ.” Galatians 3:28 Theologically this makes a beautiful statement; believing it, living it as truth, is not such an easy proposition.
Most people struggle with enslavement of one kind or another. Our brokenness, the human condition, is often maintained by guilt, that obnoxious, ugly motivator. We allow others to place those chains of guilt upon our souls, sometimes with the results they desire, but not with healing as an outcome. Sometimes we ourselves take on the burden. We let our past hold sway over our present, and our future, fear replacing iron links. Many are trapped by debt, by addictions, by toxic attitudes or relationships, by sin… “ALMIGHTIE and most merciful father, we have erred and straied from thy waies, lyke lost shepee we have folowed to much the devises and desires of our owne hartes. We have offended against thy holy lawes: We have left undone those thinges whiche we ought to have done, and we have done those thinges which we ought not to have done, and there is no health in us …” 1559 Book of Common Prayer
How can we break the chains, “all that darkens and ensnares us”, and truly witness to the truth that Christ Jesus has set us free? It begins with honesty…with God, with others, with oneself. So self-examination begins…
Culinary Musings: What to do with a bit of left over cheese? Cream cheese, from that last bagel run…add to a homemade white sauce then use the sauce for mac and cheese, or baked eggs, or scalloped potatoes or pasta alfredo…A small block of cheddar, a slice of Havarti, a baby bel no one ate? Put all bits into a grilled cheese sandwich for that popular ‘artisanal’ treat. Did you know that you can cut up leftover cheese strings (use scissors) and add the nuggets to mac and cheese before baking in the oven, for a hot dish of comfort that all ages will enjoy?