Gardening - Sow your cabbage seeds on the first
Wednesday after the 29th of July.
Cabbages are a cold-weather crop, therefore by sowing
the seed now (or at least 6 to 8 weeks before the first frost), you ensure that
the plants will spend much of the warm weather in growing, and will mature in
the cold weather of fall. The
first frost in the Smallest State is usually in the first week in October,
according to the Old Farmer’s Almanac, so anytime in the next three weeks is
optimum planting time here. Judge
your own planting time accordingly.
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“At Tarascon, in France, St. Martha, virgin, the
hostess of our Savior, and sister of blessed Mary Magdalen and St. Lazarus.”
I wrote about St. Martha and La Tarasque last year. And I have the same
reservations about Our Lord’s gentle admonishment. Every time I hear that story, I am reminded of the
centuries-old disdain of those who engage in intellectual pursuits for those
who work with their hands. Sneering
references to ‘fly-over country’ and ‘corn-fed’, because the ‘intelligentsia’
can only be found on either coast (and only certain parts of either coast. Try to get an Ivy-Leaguer to admit that
there is intelligent life south of the Mason-Dixon line). Ivory-tower types claiming that only
they know what is best for everyone, and that once we get rid of all our silly
morals and embrace the New Order, we will be very happy little (corn-fed)
people. Feministas who are plainly
horrified that a person could actually contemplate finding fulfillment for her
creativeness in caring for a home and family, rather than enduring the best
hours of the day in a sterile office with mind-numbing repetitive chores.
Yes, I know that Our Lord made no reference to any of that. I still hear it. Mea culpa.
John Shea wrote this reflection on Saint Martha in his
Pictorial Lives of the Saints (1889): “When Martha received Jesus into her
house, she was naturally busy in preparations for such a Guest. Mary sat at His feet, intent alone on
listening to His gracious words.
Her sister thought that the time required other service than this, and
asked our Lord to bid Mary help in serving. Once again, Jesus spoke in defense of Mary. ‘Martha, Martha,’ He said, ‘thou art
lovingly anxious about many things; be not over-eager; do thy chosen work with
recollectedness. Judge not
Mary. Hers is the good part, the
one only thing really necessary.
Thine will be taken away, that something better be given thee.’ The life of action ceases when the body
is laid down; but the life of contemplation endures and is perfected in
heaven.”
Yes, of course.
But in the meantime, even contemplatives need to eat.
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I have been asked what recipes are suitable for the
feast of St. Martha. Catholic Culture has several recipes, most of them based in Provence where she
evangelized. They also have a very
wonderful idea of honoring the family cook by taking over the culinary chores,
or even closing the kitchen for the day and treating the cook to a dinner out.
On the other hand, try thinking like Martha. If Jesus were coming to dinner tonight
(or lunch or brunch) what would you serve? (Forgetting, of course, that he is the King of Kings and
Lord of Lords – otherwise, we would probably have the whole thing catered and
very likely held somewhere else.)
If this were winter, I’d probably serve Shrimp Chowder or Beef
Stroganoff. Right now, with the
temperatures so high, it would be, “How do you like your hamburgers barbequed,
Lord? Medium? Well-done?” (unless he showed up on
Wednesday or Friday, in which case, “Do you like malt vinegar with your
fish-and-chips, Lord?”)
And because I don’t fault Mary for taking every
opportunity to learn from the Greatest of all Teachers, Jesus would have the
nice, comfy Windsor chair in the kitchen – He can talk and I will cook.
So, what would you serve Him?
(ahem!
And no asking Him to turn the water into wine. Bad, bad, bad!)
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O blessed Saint Martha, your faith led Jesus to proclaim, "I am the resurrection and the life", and faith let you see beyond His humanity when you cred out, "Lord, I believe that You are the Messiah, the Son of God." With firm hope, you said, "I know that God will give You whatever You ask of Him," and Jesus called your brother Lazarus back from the dead. With pure love for Jesus, you welcomed Him into your home. Friend and servant of our Savior, I too am "troubled about many things."
(Pause for silent prayer)
Pray for me that I may grow in faith, hope, and love, and that Jesus, Who sat at your table, will hear me and grant me a place at the banquet of eternal life. Amen.
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Artwork: "Saint Martha", in a Flemish illumination from The Isabella Breviary, 1497. See Wikipedia for source information. [I wonder if that is a cookbook she's holding?]
