Blood Red Chianti

 Murder in Chianti by Camilla Trinchieri is about a murder in the location of where Chianti comes from.  Nico Doyle moves to this area because his recently deceased came from there, and they traveled back and forth from the USA to Tuscany, often.

Nico is a retired cop, so when a murder happens, he is asked to advise.  The victim used to live in the village but moved to California.  He did very well and returned as a millionaire.  Before he left, he might have left a pregnant girl.  He believes he did, which is why he came back.  Unfortunately, he is murdered before he finds out who really is his daughter. 

The killer would involve a spoiler.  I will tell you this.  The killer was paid well.  Now you figure out who did it.

I read this book in the first place, because I need to read a book about food.

There was a lot of food, in this story.  Nico works in a restaurant belonging to his wife's family.  It becomes his family.  Actually, it's a small village and everyone is family.  It's a cute story that will keep you guessing.

The Senior Center in Winter

 The Franklin Senior Center Scribblers Writing Group is making a story walk around the Senior Center Building.  Since each sign is a limited amount of space, we decided that each of us should write a poem.  It should be seasonal and topical (references to places we Seniors would know.)  Here's my first attempt.

Over the river and through the woods
the Gatra Bus does go.
This cold weather might bring snow,
perfect for December, this I know.

My fingers and toes are cold and red.
Maybe I should have stayed in bed.
My car wouldn't start.
Calling Gatra was very smart.

I must get to the Senior Center:
Bingo, Cribbage, and other adventures
beckon me out and into the cold
for activities, food and friends to behold.

Hope Springs Eternal

Responsorial Psalm

Ps 126:1-2, 2-3, 4-5, 6.

R. (3)  The Lord has done great things for us; we are filled with joy.
When the LORD brought back the captives of Zion,
   we were like men dreaming.
Then our mouth was filled with laughter,
   and our tongue with rejoicing. 
R. The Lord has done great things for us; we are filled with joy.
Then they said among the nations,
  “The LORD has done great things for them.”
The LORD has done great things for us;
   we are glad indeed. 
R. The Lord has done great things for us; we are filled with joy.
Restore our fortunes, O LORD,
   like the torrents in the southern desert.
Those who sow in tears
   shall reap rejoicing. 
R. The Lord has done great things for us; we are filled with joy.
Although they go forth weeping,
   carrying the seed to be sown,
They shall come back rejoicing,
   carrying their sheaves.
R. The Lord has done great things for us; we are filled with joy.

STUDIUM:

This psalm probably was sung in procession, while on pilgrimage, perhaps for the festival of Tabernacles.  It offers hope and encouragement.  The sadness will lessen.  Have hope.

MEDITATIO:

Nothing last forever, except God, of course.  Grief will lessen.  One even gets used to pain.  God has a plan, and we trust Him.

ORATIO:

Thy Kingdom come.  Restore our fortunes, Lord.

CONTEMPLATIO:

Jesus I trust in You.

Yesterday, Today, and Tomorrow

 A range of emotions have been washing over me, today.  I have to keep Hebrews 13:8, in mind:

Jesus Christ is the Same Yesterday and Today and Forever

It started this morning, as I was entering Mass.  A friend and I who pray the Rosary together on Monday nights, were admiring the Rosary Wall in a small room.  We were commenting on how welcoming and nice that little room was.  Immediately, we were informed that everything in the room will be going out and the room can't be used anymore!

No rosary groups, no bereavement groups, no Bible Study, no prayer groups, no Legion of Mary, etc.  No anything!  Nada~!  We all have to have our groups in the school, from now on.

I was upset.  I guess I was mostly angry.  Don't we have a say?  

I couldn't keep my mind on Jesus.  That made me even more angry and upset.  I was remembering another time, where my prayer group came to have our meeting and saw our belongings, stacked up, outside a locked door.  We were displaced by the food pantry.

That was a shock.  Of course, we could understand how important a food pantry is and would have precedence over a prayer group.  Still!  It was like coming home and finding out that your landlord threw all your belongings out on the street.

This time, the news wasn't as egregiously shocking as that.  Still, I was saddened.  Since I was at Mass, I was trying to pray.  I was focusing on receiving Jesus in a respectful and loving manner.  It helped because Hebrews 13:8, came to mind.  Everything changes.  Why be upset?  Only God is consistent.  I had calmed down, as I walked home.

I also thought of a friend of mine.  She was having a hard time at work.  They wanted to get rid of her, but didn't want to fire her.  They wanted to make her quit.  She was treated badly.  The last straw was when her desk was moved to the basement!  Imagine!  They said she would be able to concentrate better, when she was alone.  How insulting is that! Now this definitely is something to be upset about, not having my favorite room, is not.

A Lifeline for Prisoners

 What exactly should I pray for when I want to pray for prisoners?

Justice and fairness in the legal system.

Family support and unity.

Protection and safety while incarcerated.

Hope for a better future.

Healing and restoration.

Transformation and a relationship with Jesus.

Peace in times of turmoil.

Wisdom and guidance for both the inmate and their family.

St. Leonard of Noblac (d. 559).
St. Leonard was converted to Christianity at Christmas 496, and went on to serve in the court of Clovis I. As a disciple of St. Remigius, Bishop of Reims, Leonard was granted the prerogative to visit prisons and free anyone held there. He secured the release of a number of prisoners (for whom he has become a patron saint).

Consolation

 

LECTIO:              Baruch 5:1-9

Jerusalem, take off your robe of mourning and misery;
    put on the splendor of glory from God forever:
wrapped in the cloak of justice from God,
    bear on your head the mitre
    that displays the glory of the eternal name.
For God will show all the earth your splendor:
    you will be named by God forever
    the peace of justice, the glory of God’s worship.
    
Up, Jerusalem! stand upon the heights;
    look to the east and see your children
gathered from the east and the west
    at the word of the Holy One,
    rejoicing that they are remembered by God.
Led away on foot by their enemies they left you:
    but God will bring them back to you
    borne aloft in glory as on royal thrones.
For God has commanded
    that every lofty mountain be made low,
and that the age-old depths and gorges
    be filled to level ground,
    that Israel may advance secure in the glory of God.
The forests and every fragrant kind of tree
    have overshadowed Israel at God’s command;
for God is leading Israel in joy
    by the light of his glory,
    with his mercy and justice for company.

STUDIUM:

Only a few books speak of the possibility of the Israelites living permanently outside the promise land: Tobit, Baruch, Wisdom, and some of Esther.  The first three aren't in the Hebrew canon and thus are not part of the Jewish or Protestant versions of the Bible.  Apocryphal is the Protestant name for these books.  Catholics call them Deuterocanonical, from the Greek, a second canon, separated from the other.  Baruch tells us about homelessness and foreign existence.  So, Baruch encourages the Israelites to find God in the foreign territory.

     Baruch is for a people who feel abandoned, lost--physically and emotionally.  Baruch helps the people turn to God for help.  Prayer, traditions, hope, and strength to persevere, are Baruch's message.

MEDITATIO:

Presently, my country is very divided politically.  I take these verses to heart.  Israel is at war, again.  Russia is fighting in the Ukraine.  Countries in Southern Africa are revolting.  Drug gangs in Central and South America cause people to come to the USA.  But Baruch says to turn to God.

ORATIO:

Mercy and justice are hoped for, in the Lord.  It certainly isn't here in my world.  Hear our cries, Jesus.

CONTEMPLATIO:

Don't lose hope.  Put on God's cloak of joy.

Princess Alice

 

Poor Alice, had it all and by all, I mean, riches, prestige, love, and also knew penny pinching hardship, distain, fear, and worry.  She lived through wars, civil conflicts, revolts, insane asylums, illness, and always felt isolated and distant due to her deafness.  Her story is told in Alice Princess Andrew of Greece by Hugo Vickers.

She was born in Buckingham Palace because her grandmother, Queen Victoria, wanted all her grandchildren to be born there.  She was hard of hearing and I think as she got older, her deafness worsened.  She learned to lip read in a few languages, but if the man had a bushy mustache, she couldn't.  Consequently, she seemed strange, aloof, and unstable.

She married a Greek prince, but when the Greek monarchy was overthrown, the family had to flee.  She was related to royalty in Germany and Russia, but their reigns were overthrown.  Assassinations were always a threat.  No wonder she had a nervous breakdown.  She spent some time in Switzerland's hospitals, away from her family.  They were ashamed of her and considered her religious obsessions ridiculous.  She was Greek Orthodox and started an order of nuns.  The family laughed at her smoking cigarettes and playing cards in her nun's habit.

She started a hospital and hid Jews from Nazis.  Due to her work, helping the Jews she was awarded the Righteous Gentile honor and is buried in Jerusalem. During WWII, while she was in Switzerland and working in the hospital, she was separated from her family.  Her husband hung out in the south of France and died there.  Her children, by that time, had families of their own and living in different countries.  Her only son, Philip was in an English school.  This boy eventually married Princess of Elizabeth--Queen Elizabeth and he became her consort.

What an eventful life!  The book was interesting, but at times, like all biographies, had too many details.  Queen Victoria's progeny was too hard to keep track.  The author made Alice's life sympathetic and interesting.  I am happy to learn about her.