Our Lenten Family Soup Suppers series concludes this week with a recipe and reflection questions for Good Friday. Please also check out Kristi Quinlan’s blog post for activities and celebrations for the Easter Triduum and Easter Sunday.

For Good Friday, April 10

(Download a printable copy of recipe and reflection questions here.)

Curried Lentil Soup

1 large onion, quartered & sliced

2 Tbsp. butter

¼ tsp. salt

½ tsp. sugar

5 cloves garlic, minced

¼ tsp. ground ginger

1 ¼ tsp. ground cumin

2 pinches cayenne, or to taste

¼ tsp. Garam Masala (or ¼ tsp. extra cumin & 2 pinches Allspice)

½ tsp. ground coriander

¼ tsp. salt

1 bay leaf

1 qt. vegetable broth

1 C. water

1 C. lentils (your favorite variety/color, sorted & rinsed)

1 Roma tomato, diced

Caramelize the onion using the first 4 ingredients. Add garlic and spices and cook until fragrant, careful not to burn garlic – about 1 minute. Add liquids to deglaze, then the uncooked lentils. Bring to boil and simmer until lentils are tender, about 20 minutes. Add tomato to heat through.

Possible toppers: chopped raisins, lime wedges, fresh cilantro, rice, or a creamy cucumber salad.

Creamy Cucumber Salad: 3 medium cucumbers peeled, seeded, & diced; 1 C. plain yogurt; 1 Tbsp. lemon or lime juice; ½ tsp. sugar; ½ tsp. ground cumin; 1 Tbsp. fresh mint, chopped.

Good Friday Gospel

For April 10 | For full reading John 18:1- 19:42

“My kingdom does not belong to this world. If my kingdom did belong to this world, my attendants would be fighting to keep me from being handed over to the Jews. But as it is, my kingdom is not here.” So Pilate said to him, “Then you are a king?” Jesus answered, “You say I am a king. For this I was born and for this I came into the world, to testify to the truth. Everyone who belongs to the truth listens to my voice.” Pilate said to him, “What is truth?”

Reflections for the cook:

In this time of confusion, misinformation, and uncertainty, what is truth? What voices do I listen to? Elsewhere in the Gospel, Jesus refers to himself as the Truth. Do I listen to his voice? Do I belong to Truth? Do I tell myself the truth?

Discussion for the dinner table:

What do you think of when we talk about a kingdom, in the normal, worldly way? What kind of kingdom does Jesus have – what does it look like? How is it here, now – yet not belonging to this world?

Copyright 2020 The Well. Written by Kristi Quinlan

Kristi Quinlan is new to Des Moines, moving to the area for her husband Tom's work. After earning her BA in education from the University of Dallas, Kristi spent several years studying and working as a Catholic missionary. She enjoyed five years as a parish Faith Formation Director in the suburbs of Chicago, until she landed a new "full-time job" at home keeping up with her two sons (3 and 1). Kristi is constantly seeking outlets for creativity whether that's in the kitchen, on canvas, or within the sphere of Catholic ministry.