The holiness of chicken soup

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Lent is a time for keeping our eyes open to discover the daily graces we so easily miss in our busy, distracted lives. Christians believe that the world itself has a sacramental nature, revealing always and everywhere the presence and grace of God among us.

Perhaps this fragment from Salinger says this better:

I'll tell you one thing, Franny. One thing I know. And don't get upset. But if it's the religious life you want, you ought to know right now that you're missing out on every single goddam religious action that's going on around this house. You don't even have sense enough to drink when somebody brings you a cup of consecrated chicken soup -- which is the only kind of chicken soup Bessie ever brings to anybody around this madhouse. So just tell me, just tell me, buddy. Even if you went out and searched the whole world for a master -- some guru, some holy man -- to tell you how to say your Jesus prayer properly, what good would it do you? How in hell are you going to recognize a legitimate holy man when you see one if you don't even know a cup of consecrated chicken soup when it's right in front of your nose? Can you tell me that?

- J.D. Salinger in Franny and Zooey

 
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