I did it again. I got everyone’s lips smacking last Sunday as I described my fantastic Eggplant Parmigiana recipe. Not everyone likes Eggplant, but somehow I can make it sound so delicious and flavorful that even the skeptics wanted the recipe. It helps that we’re in a 21 day fast as a church, a time when anything sounds luscious.
When I think of the body of Christ, I think about Eggplant Parmigaina. It’s probably because of all the time and effort and the various ingredients that go into the dish, and the layers upon layers that become one meal that I truly love. Let me explain:
After finding that perfectly ripe eggplant, you slice it into thin 1/4 inch round slices. (This has to be perfect or else you get rubbery or tough eggplant- and that stinks.) Then you dip it into egg and coat them with Italian bread crumbs. Get the olive oil nice and hot in a large skillet and begin frying each eggplant piece so that it is golden brown. This is where I get carried away sometimes, because the smell is out of this world and I am tempted just to nibble the food right now. Anyway, so you fry it up, dry it on paper towels and prepare the baking dish. Here you create layers of tomato sauce, eggplant, mozzarella cheese, parmesan cheese- over and over again until you are up to the top of the dish. Now you put it in the oven for about 30 minutes at 350 degrees or until it’s piping hot!
So there’s the recipe…now here’s the point: We are like divine Eggplant Parmigiana because when we work together as the body of Christ we become one. When we worship together, serve together, give together, love together, join together- all of our individuality remains intact, but all of our togetherness is so much better. It’s such a good mix and very appealing to those around us. We are fragrant and appetizing!
Whether or not you are a fan of Eggplant, if you are a member of Christ’s church, your involvement with the local church ought to resemble something like this Italian recipe.
Feel free to try the recipe, but even more than that, be the part of the body that God has created you to be!
-Peter
That looks absolutly scrumpcious, got home from work and you made me crave eggplant parmigiana !! Lol!!