I enjoy learning about different cultures and traditions through baking bread. Today I baked Lazarakia (“Little Lazaruses”) shaped to resemble men wrapped in burial cloths. These buns use spices such as mahlepi (the ground pit of a sour cherry), Greek masticha (a resin gathered from the Mediterranean mastic tree), and cloves for eyes. In order to maintain rules of the Lenten fast, no eggs or dairy products are used. Orthodox Christians eat this bread on Lazarus Saturday – today – to celebrate the miracle of Jesus raising Lazarus from the dead.
In the Gospel of John, where the Lazarus account is found, Jesus’ miracle of bringing Lazarus back to life and his later return to Bethany to visit Lazarus and his sisters are the last recorded events before the Lord’s journey to Jerusalem on Palm Sunday and his subsequent arrest and crucifixion. In commemorating the miracle of Lazarus on the day before Holy Week begins, the Orthodox calendar reminds us that this “first Easter,” as Lazarus’ resurrection is sometimes called, foreshadows the miracle to come, giving us a foretaste of Easter joy that can carry us through Holy Week. ~Beth Bevis
If you’re dying to try Lazarakia, come to the choir room between services on Sunday. The choir members may let you sample one, but be prepared to sing with us!
Jesus said, “I am the resurrection and the life. Those who believe in me, even though they die, will live, and everyone who lives and believes in me will never die.” – John 11:25-26
Yesterday I wrote about breath and Spirit. Today I finished reading Chocolat, which illustrates connections to wind, the change of seasons and how we as individuals and communities change. And there is plenty of cacao described in detail inviting me to imagine its alluring smell and tempting me to take a bite out of the book.
When I first dated my husband, I knew I’d have to learn to ski since he grew up in Vermont. Attempting a slope too steep for my inexperience, when my skis carried me too quickly to stop, I merely … fell over… and over… and over. By the end of the day, the staff called me Snow White (unaware that my maiden name is “White”). No explanation needed.
I recently “met” someone whose husband was the superintendent of my middle school. She looked very familiar to me, so I asked and we filled in the pieces of the story. She is also a musician and remembered my performances at school as a student. Now, forty years later, we belong to the same music club. Music has blessed me in many ways, and so have people. The more I remember those who have blessed me in my life, the more I strive to be a blessing to others. I can do this by simply listening and being present to each person I encounter. This is not easy, especially when I’m busy. But when I am attentive to blessing others with a listening ear or a caring touch, I feel honored in return. Sometimes this is felt many years later, but God’s time is different than my time. I have learned to have faith in “the quiet eternal.”
I recently joined social media. Reconnecting can be wonderful, and stories shared help me understand my friends and family more completely. When I made my final Benedictine oblation I chose the name of a patron saint after much thought and prayer. I felt a connection to Hildegard of Bingen for many reasons. Inspired by her faithfulness and life, Hildegard became my chosen name. A Medieval Christian mystic, St. Hildegard communicated creation spirituality through music, art, poetry, medicine, gardening, and reflection on nature. She saw all things in the light of God through the five senses and offers assurance that there is more to God’s creation than what our limited senses can perceive. Richard Rohr states, “She recognized that there is also an inherent connection between the physical world and the divine Presence. This connection translates into an inner energy that is the soul and seed of everything, an inner voice calling you to ‘Become who you are, become all that you are.'” When I move in a direction where I feel God is leading me, I feel great joy. My heart doesn’t lie.
I can’t stop thinking about the special dinner we recently enjoyed at Vicia. When I asked them to tell me about their sourdough bread and they replied, “We mill our own wheat,” I knew the rest of the meal would be memorable. I loved the environmental atmosphere; “one” with nature, and the super fresh herbs and vegetables immensely pleased my palate. I especially appreciated the amazing mingling of ingredients. It was a fulfilling experience for all of my senses.
Much of what I love was bundled into today. My birthday began with Darjeeling tea, quiche and currant scones with clotted cream at The London Tea Room, then a chocolate tour where I received the real live cocoa bean pod pictured above (my new maraca), a quick trip around the corner to Park Avenue coffee where we learned about air-roasted coffee, then an amazing dinner at Vicia, a restaurant I’ve been looking forward to visiting. And best of all I got to spend the day with my two “boys” as I look forward to our daughter arriving tomorrow. On top of that I practiced the organ at church and my family gave me an iPad so I don’t have to wear out my thumbs writing blogposts each day. What a day! So much to be thankful for.
The submerged lemons are now set and the vodka a sunny yellow; sufficiently suffused!
Bread for the Journey 