Transfiguration Sunday

Transfiguration Sunday / Amazing Grace Sunday

Lectionary Texts:  Exodus 34:29-35; Psalm 99;

     2 Corinthians 3:12-4:2; Luke 9:28-36 (37-43a)

Bread Words

"Two hundred years ago, British parliamentarian William Wilberforce and his group of friends profoundly changed the political and social climate of their time by taking on the slave trade. Wilberforce was a convert of the religious revivals that transformed 18th-century England. His life and his vocation as a Member of Parliament were profoundly changed by his newfound faith; he became a force for moral politics. His mentor, John Newton, worked in the slave trade before he became a minister, and became well known for writing the beloved hymn 'Amazing Grace.' Later, Newton used his influence as a religious leader to lead the battle against slavery. In light of his efforts, we can read his immortal words, 'Amazing grace, how sweet the sound, that saved a wretch like me,' not merely as a testimony of private guilt and piety, but also as a turning away from the sin of trafficking in human flesh. His conversion produced a social and political transformation as well as a personal one."  (From "Time for the New Abolitionists" by Jim Wallis at  www.sojo.net )

There are many who believe that slavery ended more than a century ago.  To raise awareness of the ways 27-million men, women, and children around the world are enslaved today, February 18 has been designated "Amazing Grace Sunday."  A new abolitionist movement is being launched.  Inspired by the life and work of William Wilberforce, the movement is called the "Amazing Change Campaign."  As Wilberforce recognized two centuries ago, the abolition of slavery requires the reformation of society.  On "Amazing Grace Sunday," thousands of church congregations will be singing the familiar hymn, praying for global transformation.

It is the second stanza of "Amazing Grace" linked with a portion of the passage from 2 Corinthians which has inspired the shape of the Communion bread for this Sunday:

'Twas grace that taught my heart to fear,

and grace my fears relieved;

How precious did that grace appear

the hour I first believed!

"Therefore, since it is by God's mercy that we are engaged in this ministry, we do not lose heart.  We have renounced the shameful things that one hides; we refuse to practice cunning or to falsify God's word; but by the open statement of the truth we commend ourselves to the conscience of everyone in the sight of God."  (2 Corinthians 4:1-2)

"Grace" and "transformation" are difficult ideas to depict.  But nearly every culture recognizes the association of the heart-shape with concepts of Love.  The Communion bread is composed of four, distinctly flavored heart-shapes joined together to make a four-sided figure.  Each heart could be baked separately with satisfactory (and tasty) integrity.  But when the four hearts are linked together, they are transformed into a larger (and much more mysterious) loaf of bread.

(The technique for this bread is complicated by making four different--if simple--fillings for each of the four hearts.  Also, there are two separate doughs made to create light and dark breads.  The bread shape is just as effective if made with a single dough, without any fillings.)

The same amounts and techniques are used for both the light and the darker doughs.  I used two medium-sized bowls and measured the ingredients for each bread at the same time.  Mixing and kneading the unbleached and the whole wheat bread doughs sequentially does not adversely effect the outcome.  The following amounts are half the quantity required for a "whole" loaf if you decide to jettison the light/dark feature:

1 cup milk, warmed

1 teaspoon active dry yeast

2 3/4 - 3 cups unbleached flour or whole wheat flour

2 Tablespoons honey

2 Tablespoons olive oil

3/4 teaspoons salt

Sprinkle the dry yeast over the surface of the warm milk (which has cooled sufficiently for the yeast to tolerate).  Mix in about 1 1/2 cups flour and stir for about 2 minutes;  let the mixtures stand for about 30 minutes.  Add the honey, oil, and salt with sufficient flour to make a stiff dough.  Turn one of the doughs out onto a well-floured surface, thoroughly scraping the bowl, and knead the dough for about 8 minutes. (Sing "Amazing Grace" and pray for global abolition and reformation.)  Repeat with the other dough mixture.  Return the doughs to the bowls which have been well-oiled.  Let the doughs rise for at least one hour.  (I usually place the dough in the cool oven while it's rising.)

If you decide to make fillings for each of the four hearts, use four small cups and measure 1 Tablespoon of softened butter and 1 Tablespoon of organic sugar into each container.  A variety of flavors could be added to each of the four cups.  The four flavors I used were: cocoa powder (1 Tablespoon); cinnamon (1 teaspoon); orange peel ( 1 1/2 teaspoon); and chili (2 teaspoons of Pico de Gallo--a mixture of salt and chili powders).  Mix the flavorings with the butter and sugar to make a spreadable paste and set them aside until the dough has risen.  (The amounts of the flavored pastes may seem stingy, but resist the temptation to use more!  The excess filling will ooze out and burn onto the bottom of the bread.)

Deflate the doughs and then divide each dough into two portions.  If you want to have "filled" hearts, roll each portion into a rectangle about 6-inches x 14-inches.  Spread the paste in a 4-inch width over (almost) the entire length of the dough.  Roll the dough jelly-roll style from the long side and then roll the resulting rope to a length of about 24-inches.  Form the rope into a heart-shape on a large, well-buttered baking sheet.  The point of the heart should "point" to the edge of the pan. Repeat the process with the other three portions of dough, creating a ring of hearts.

Now twist the "arms" of the hearts to join them into a single "loaf."  The bread shown is rather "floppy" and it might break too readily to be satisfactory for Communion.  The dough can easily be manipulated to make a "tighter" bread if desired.  Let the shaped dough rise for about 45 minutes.

Bake the bread at 375-degrees for 35-45 minutes.  Remove from the oven and let the bread rest on the baking sheet for about 5 minutes before removing to a rack to cool.  I readily admit my bias, but when the bread is pulled apart and the fillings are revealed, my consciousness is expanded.   I imagine the sources of the flavorings. I think of the workers who grew them and who processed them. I hope that the workers are treated fairly, but recognize the sad realities of our global economy...May the "Amazing Change Campaign" meet with success!

   

   

             

Comments

[Micky]

About 3 years ago I dropped into a black hole – four months of absolute terror. I wanted to end my life, but somehow [Holy Spirit], I reached out to a friend who took me to hospital. I had three visits [hospital] in four months – I actually thought I was in hell. I imagine I was going through some sort of metamorphosis [mental, physical & spiritual]. I had been seeing a therapist [1994] on a regular basis, up until this point in time. I actually thought I would be locked away – but the hospital staff was very supportive [I had no control over my process]. I was released from hospital 16th September 1994, but my fear, pain & shame had only subsided a little. I remember this particular morning waking up [home] & my process would start up again [fear, pain, & shame]. No one could help me, not even my therapist [I was terrified]. I asked Jesus Christ to have mercy on me & forgive me my sins. Slowly, all my fear has dissipated & I believe Jesus delivered me from my “psychological prison.” I am a practicing Catholic & the Holy Spirit is my friend & strength; every day since then has been a joy & blessing. I deserve to go to hell for the life I have led, but Jesus through His sacrifice on the cross, delivered me from my inequities. John 3: 8, John 15: 26, are verses I can relate to, organically. He’s a real person who is with me all the time. I have so much joy & peace in my life, today, after a childhood spent in orphanages [England & Australia]. God LOVES me so much. Fear, pain, & shame, are no longer my constant companions. I just wanted to share my experience with you [Luke 8: 16 – 17].

Peace Be With You
Micky