Mystery!
Daniel 2:47 The king answered and said to Daniel, “Truly, or why not. I find it better to let God lead me where it your God is God of gods and Lord of kings, and a revealer of is I am to go. Scripture is not a mystery novel, but it can mysteries, for you have been able to reveal this mystery.” be a mystery, and solving it is often not the point of the exercise - engagement is. God reveals himself in so many JANUARY IS WITH us once again. We have made it to ways, even in celebrations such as Mardi Gras. 2021, and I am hoping and praying that it brings with it some light, some joy and relief for the worry we seem to Carnival is a sort of sub-season in our calendar, not have been burdened with. strictly speaking official, but it exists in Louisiana (as well as a couple other regions) in part to remind us that This is the time when Epiphany and the Baptism of the God enjoys life...after all it is a gift He gives us over and Lord usher us back to Ordinary Time. In this time of over or as John Shea, theologian and poet, often states year, we hear much about revelation and manifestation. “God is the God of second chances.” I have just read that - what is God showing us and how are we engaging with this year’s celebration of carnival or Mardi Gras has been it. Those are wonderful questions to sit with, ponder, cancelled. The reasons for this are prudent, so I book no and contemplate as the world around us slows the fever argument there. Instead I think I will celebrate Mardi pitch of Christmas shopping. In the quiet evenings when Gras with my own family, my dining table as my parade I come home after work I feel a hushed peace and quiet float, a space where I bring forth juicy food dripping with and an actual slowing down (at least for a little while) so flavor, dripping with life! And in this unexpected gift of I think this is perfect weather for contemplation, perfect quiet time I will take it and be present and see what the timing for us to allow God to capture our attention. Lord has to reveal to me. As a young girl I loved mystery novels. Nancy Drew, Trixie Belden, The Meg Mysteries. I devoured them the way some people devoured dessert or hamburgers. Later I came to know Agatha Christie’s Poirot and Miss Marple. I moved on to spy novels by Helen McInnis. I read them for sheer enjoyment - I was not the reader who tried to solve the mystery. I just followed the characters lead, trusting all would be revealed in that just right moment.
Alas, friends, not all mysteries are so lofty. Often at this time of year, I open the fridge or freezer and there it is...a zip lock bag full of something but we are not sure what exactly. It is not old, simply unmarked. (It turned out to be breakfast sausage by the way). It was during one of these moments when I concocted this dish which was surprisingly delicious. I offer it to you in hopes that you find it tasty and filling.
I still don’t read to solve the mystery. There are times I look forward to journeying through another cycle of when the solution presents itself and shines brightly in the time and celebrating life. Please God may I have ears to last third of the book, and I read even faster to see if my hear and eyes to see and a heart to employ the gifts and instinct held true. Usually it does. lessons you reveal to me. Amen. In the verse from Daniel, we are reminded that God is the revealer of mystery. I find that when I read scripture Kim Long is the Director of Religious Education for Saint Mary of the Pines Parish. I don’t try to solve it, I don’t fixate on the “eternal” why 26 THE CATHOLIC CONNECTION
