St. James of Jerusalem Bacon Breakfast Skillet

History

In Acts 15, we get a Biblical account of St. James discharging his episcopal duty. After the Holy Spirit descended on the Gentiles, new questions arose, including a dissension among the believers in Antioch about whether circumcision was necessary for salvation (Acts 15:1). Paul and Barnabas, who were preaching and teaching to the church there, were selected to return to Jerusalem in order to bring this question before the apostles and elders.

Thus commenced the first council—a template for later ecumenical councils. Peter arose and confirmed the revelation of salvation to the Gentiles and urged the Jewish brothers not to place a burden on the those who “will be saved through the grace of the Lord Jesus” (Acts 15:11). Paul and Barnabas affirmed Peter’s judgement with the testament of the signs shown to them among the Gentiles.

After all this, James speaks his judgement on the matter, which proves to be good and agreeable to the council: the Gentiles should not be required to keep the law of male circumcision but ought to refrain from idolatry, sexual impurity, the meat of strangled animals, and meat containing blood.

This was a significant change and a definite break from Jewish custom. The Christian Gentiles would not be required to follow Jewish law, including the ritual laws of clean and unclean meat. They were free in Christ to consume pork, shellfish, and other meats that were forbidden for the Jews. More important than what one puts into the body, according to James, is true religion: “Religion that is pure and undefiled before God the Father is this: to visit orphans and widows in their affliction, and to keep oneself unstained from the world” (James 1:27).

Bacon Breakfast Skillet

Amidst the many liturgical traditions featuring dinner and dessert dishes, this St. James of Jerusalem tradition lends itself well to a breakfast time meal. Because St. James was at the center of the Jerusalem Council, We wanted to feature one of the food that the council cleared for Gentile Christians to eat: pork! Of course, there are many pork-related breakfast options: bacon and eggs, sausage egg and cheese sandwiches, and this bacon scramble, just to name a few.

The morning might even be the best time to hold your liturgical celebration. The family can gather around the food prepared specially for this feast day, hold devotions, and discuss the significance of the day before going off to their work and play.

Ingredients

5 strips of bacon

3 medium potatoes

1 large onion

1 bell pepper

1 jalapeno (optional)

5 eggs

Salt and pepper, to taste

Instructions

1. Preheat a large cast iron skillet to medium high heat and place bacon strips to cook until crispy. Meanwhile, dice the potatoes, onion, and peppers.
2. Remove the bacon and set aside on a paper towel.
3. Pour the bacon grease out of the pan until 4-5 tablespoons remain and drop the potatoes in the hot skillet to cook in a single layer. Leave the potatoes to cook undisturbed until golden brown on the first side, then flip them to another side and add in the onion and peppers.
4. Stir the skillet sparingly but enough to cook all contents evenly.
5. Once the potatoes are cooked through, make five wells in the skillet and crack the eggs into them. Cover and cook until eggs are desired done-ness.
6. Chop the bacon and spread over the skillet. Season with salt and pepper to taste and enjoy!