Sometimes the only thing to do is make some soup. The ancient work of simmering food in liquid may be one of the most wonderful inventions in the history of mankind. When the politics of church and state begin to rub the skin off, the best thing to do is to make some soup. I make my mother’s cream of broccoli soup by starting with an onion and a few stalks of celery. I then add chicken broth and simmer broccoli flowerettes and thinly slices stems (buy the large stalks and not the crowns as the stems have lots of flavor and make the soup much less expensive.) Then when the broccoli is soft, lower a soup wand into it or blend it in a blender with some nutmeg and add heavy cream at the last minute. Reheat the soup to a low simmer and serve with cheese biscuits. This meal for four will cost a dollar each and will heal the soul. “Do this in remembrance of me” said Jesus. Was it about the act or was it about eating together?
Living a simple life is a choice and it is a hard one in this culture. I see the effects on people – even sometimes on myself- when life gets ahead of itself and schedules inflate to match our ego. But some silence and some soup and a good, kind, gentle conversation with a friend can be yet another sacrament.
