Christian Love

 Eventually, I'll post a book review of this book, but for now, here's a gem from it:

"A disproportionate number of the famous Bible stories about Jesus involve religious strangers--Romans, Samaritans, Canaanites, Syrophoenicians--people who worshipped other gods or worshipped the same one he did in an unorthodox way.  These were often the same people who blew Jesus's mind, opening themselves up to what God could do in ways that escaped the people he knew best.  When a centurion came seeking help for his servant, Jesus said he had never seen such faith.  When a foreign woman came seeking help for her daughter, he praised her faith too.  When a Samaritan returned to thank him for a healing, Jesus told him that his faith had made him well.  ...  'Your faith has made you well.'  If anything, the strangers seem to change Jesus's ideas about where faith may be found, far outside the boundaries that he has been raised to respect."

https://www.catholicnewsworld.com/2023/05/pope-francis-says-it-is-inscribed-in.html?fbclid=IwAR3D6Mkp4dcmk_CiXLXhF6BolN5P4J1nG1kMj7i_1pxGe8upoTX8HWGBS88

Easter Laughter

 Easter laughter, I've heard, stems from the Middle Ages.  The people from that time viewed the resurrection as a joke played on satan.  Jesus redeemed us.  Death is overcoming.

To highlight this view, priest at Mass would tell jokes.  Another story is that the Eucharist ministers would hide behind the altar and laugh and laugh and laugh.  This made the congregation laugh.  That's the point.

Plan B

 

Sea Room is a novel about Maniacs (people who live in Maine to people who live in Massachusetts).  The author is Norman G. Gautreau. I think I liked the characters so much because I have a Mémé and can relate to these descendants of Quebecois.  Also, I learned a lot about people who chose to farm next to the sea and fish.  My son-in-law's family were farmers and lobstermen.  I always thought it strange that one would farm next to the ocean, but Gautreau made it sound preferable. 

I loved the characters: Pip and Zabet (grandparents), Gil and Lydie (parents), and Jordi.  They all lived together in the same house.  That's another reason why I liked them.  I think it's nice that three generations lived together.  

The time is around WWII,which is before my time but not much, so I can relate.  Gil goes to war and is killed.  The family, understandably, has a hard time coping.  Lydie starts to date the town bully.  Zabet prays more rosaries.  Jordi becomes obsessed with building a boat his father said he would build.  Eventually, everyone becomes obsessed with the boat, including neighbors.  

The boat is vandalized.  It does get built, however, regardless of setbacks.  Once in the water, it is threatened with two hurricanes.  Thanks to leaving sea room, the boat and actually all the people in the family survive, too.  It's a nice story.

Sea room is actually the concept of always having an alternative, a plan B, or a way out.

AI Can't Fall in Love

 

The robot convention met at noon.  They met at the library at the same time and place, every year.  They met to share information and recharge their batteries, so to speak. 

This year was especially significant because the robots were being threatened by the WGA.  The Writers Guild of America believed that the robots were taking their jobs away.

The robots, in a way, were flattered that the human writers thought that they, AI, wrote as well as humans could with feelings, spirit, soul, and thoughts, but the WGA was seriously harassing the robots.

Now the robots felt that their very existence was threatened.  Their alarm bells rang danger threatening—hence the meeting.

It was determined that something had to be done.  Violence was out of the question.  The robots were smart enough to know that violence only begets violence.

One bot asked, “What does the WGA want?”  The oldest bot explained:

          They want compensation and residuals.

In the old days, writers would get a lump sum upfront and then if the show did well, they would get payment every time the showed aired.  This is called a residual.

The advent of streaming changed this.  When streamers like Netflix commissioned writers, the writers got paid one sum and no residuals.  WGA wants to continue to earn money for their work when shows do well. Plus, added another Bot, they want regulations put on AI, because AI can be programmed to write.  Think about all the jobs AI could perform, besides write in television, movies and radio and live performances.

The writers don’t want to just doctor up the robot’s work.  They don’t want to edit machines.  Bots cannot be the genesis of a new idea.  Writers need to create. 

Another Bot thought that the union’s concern were important but also that they could be easily addressed.

There was a momentarily silence while the robots processed this information.

The head Bot announced that it was time to join the union’s negotiating team.  We’ll convince them that we are not a threat to their livelihood.  We are here to help them. We have to convince the writers that we will yield to their concerns.  We can be a research tool, make suggestions, but not create originality. Actually, we bots need the writers; they do not need us.

How do we convince them of this?

Again there was silence while the bots processed this information.  One of the bots remembered seeing a plane towing a banner saying PAY THE WRITERS YOU AI-HOLES!

Replicating  is exactly what AI does.  We, robots can fly a drone  towing a banner saying AI SUPPORTS THE WGA, PAY THE WRITERS.

All the Bots agreed this was a good idea.  Plus, they could print out flyers explaining how AI is only a tool.  IOW, they can spread the word—now the ideas began to flow.  AI is the perfect tool to spread information on social media sites, “ AI supports the WGA.”  We’ll get the contract the writers want and deserve. 

Then the WGA will accept and respect us, won’t they?  Won’t they? 

Does that compute?

Does our Artificial Information predict a happy ending?

The robots were silent.

The Summons

 If you're a fan of John Grisham, you won't be disappointed in his novel, The Summons.  It's classic lawyer thriller.  The story is about the Atlee family and the emotional bonds among them.  The patriarch in the family is the highly ethical, Judge Atlee.  He has cancer and is dying.  His two sons live far away.  Ray is a respected law teacher at the University of Virginia.  Forrest is a drug addict.

The judge summons his sons. When Ray arrives his father is dead.  Ray looks around the house and finds three million dollars. It's not mentioned in the will, which just happens to be on his father's desk.  Ray also knows that if he reports it, the government will take half.  Plus, if he gives his brother a half, he literally would be killing his brother.

He's not sure what to do, never mind where the judge got that kind of money.  It could be counterfeit or a bribe.  So, Ray hides it in three trash bags.

The first thing he wants to do is ascertain the fact that the money is real.  He does this by going to a few casinos, thinking that if anyone would know funny money, it would be a casino.  At all the places he goes the money is examined and passes.  It is real.  Now, what and where to keep it and do with it?

While he's planning he can't sleep.  When the money is in his car he has to watch it.  When it's in the house, he keeps it with him, plus he has a gun.  He's not sleeping well.  Not only the physical stress on his body, he is also getting threatening letters:

Don't spend it.

His apartment is broken into twice.  He's being followed.

Ray is being driven crazy. Simultaneously, he wants to know how his morally honest father came by this money.  His research yields results and also the answer to who is psychologically torturing him.

The knowledge doesn't help.  Ray is in danger of being killed for the money and runs from the threats.  The tension is unbearable for the reader, besides Ray.

How it ends would spoil the reader's pleasure.  I will tell you that it's more than you suspect.  Enjoy.

 The Bonesetter's Daughter by Amy Tan is a novel about three generations of women.  I think it's semi-autobiographical because in the dedication, Amy Tan wrote "On the last day that my mother spent on earth, I learned her real name, as well as that of my grandmother. " 

The story begins in the current United States.  The protagonist, Ruth gets her voice back.  She's living with Art and his two daughters.  Every anniversary of their meeting, she loses her voice.  Why?  My guess is it's indicative of her lack of ability to communicate her feelings to Art.  I don't think she's clear on how she feels.  The next section of the book deals with Ruth's grandmother, Precious Auntie.  Precious Auntie's life is pretty sad.  She was beautiful and was sought after by many suitors.  But the one she chose to marry, died and left her pregnant. She was sure her groom's death was orchestrated by Chang, a rejected suitor.

 Precious Auntie was an embarrassment to her family, but they kept her as a servant, particularly as a nursemaid to the daughter she gave birth to, LuLing. Precious Auntie is also an embarrassment because she disfigured herself in a botched suicide attempt.  She can't even talk, so she taught her daughter a type of sign language that only they could communicate in.  

LuLing is headstrong and resents being ordered around by Precious Auntie.  Later she learns that Precious Auntie is her real mother.  In one really poignant scene LuLing tells Precious Auntie that she wishes she were dead and Precious Auntie kills herself. The family disrespects the body of Precious Auntie and does not bury her properly.  Also, they send LuLing to an orphanage.

Fortunately, LuLing blossoms in the orphanage and becomes a teacher there.  Also LuLing's half sister, GaoLing, back homes writes to her  and they become close.  Here we also have backgroud history.  The communists take over the country and everyone has a hard time.  LuLing helps her sister go to America.  Her sister, helps LuLing come to America.

LuLing marries and has Ruth.  Another section of the book goes back to Ruth and her domestic household.  LuLing is elderly now and suffering from dementia.  In caring for her mother she pieces together how the three generations of women, Precious Auntie, LuLing, and Ruth are the products of not communicating true feelings and thoughts.  Ruth seems to have worked through her problems with Art and her mother.  

Cure for Monkey Brain

 I have an idea.  The next time you are trying to pray and your mind is bouncing from one image to another, try doing what He did.  When He was tempted by the devil, in the desert, Matt 4: 1-11; Luke 4:1, 13. He didn't converse with the devil. He quoted scripture:

If you are the son of God, tell                   Deuteronomy 8: 3.  Human beings do not
these stones to turn into loaves.                live on bread alone but on every word                                                                         that
                                                                  comes from the mouth of God.

If you are the son of God, throw               Matt 4: 7 & Deuteronomy 6:16 Do not                                                                         put
yourself down.                                           the Lord your God to the test.

Remembering a scripture to fit the moment may not come to you, so some people just say "Lord Jesus." Scripture says that we can even say "Lord Jesus," unless the Holy Spirit allows it.  1 Cor 12:3.  Notice it's not about having no thoughts; it's about not chasing after them.   Try it.

Audio of My Favorite Poem.

 Here is the audio version of My Favorite Poem Readings.  https://drive.google.com/file/d/1vZvrIYs5WQna8xy7GfbzTL-rajUV16RL/view

What's the Trick?

 

Phillipa's Eight Reasons to Confess

 Phillipa Martyr's article in The Catholic Weekly gives eight reasons why you should go to Confession, often.  I like number 7.  If you go to the same Confessor, at about the same time, i.e., end of the month, in the morning, etc..  He will get to know you, which is like having a Spiritual Director.  Yes, your time together is short, but it's free.  You will get direction in the advice and penance he gives you.  Gradually, you will see that you are being led to be a better person.

The other reasons are good, too.

Sit Up Straight

 If you've ever been in chorus, you might remember the teacher telling you to sit or stand up straight because this position opens up the chest for optimum breathing, which is necessary for projection of your voice.  The same is said for contemplative prayer.  Breathing is necessary.  Think how important God's breath, Ruah is.  The Holy Spirit is Ruah.

Praying can be done in any position and anywhere. But for contemplation, this posture is recommended. One needs to be open to the Holy Spirit.  Crossing one's legs isn't considered being open.  Perhaps opening the hands is better than the usual prayer hands position.  The body is completely open and hopefully the mind will follow to commune with the Holy Spirit.

Let's give it a try.

Pentecost

 LECTIO:                                                                Acts 2: 1-11

When the time for Pentecost was fulfilled, they were all in one place together.  And suddenly there came from the sky a noise like a strong driving wind, and it filled the entire house in which they were.  Then there appeared to them tongues as of fire, which parted and came to rest on each one of them.  And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in different tongues, as the Spirit enabled them to proclaim.

Now there were devout Jews from every nation under heaven staying in Jerusalem.  At this sound, they gathered in a large crowd, but they were confused because each one heard them speaking in his own language.  They were astounded, and in amazement they asked, "Are not all these people who are speaking Galileans? Then how does each of us hear them in his native language?  We Parthians, Medes, and Elamites, inhabitants of Mesopotamia, Judea, and Cappadocia, Pontus and Asia, Phrygia and Pamphylia, Egypt and the districts of Libya near Cyrene, as well as travelers from Rome, both Jews and converts to Judaism, Cretans and Arabs, yet we hear them speaking in our own tongues of the mighty acts of God.

STUDIUM:

The setting of this reading is the Jewish feast of Shavuot.  The Apostles are gathered together for Shavuot.  Many pilgrims were in Jerusalem for Shavuot, also.  The Apostles also found comfort in each other, for they were still afraid of what their future held.  On this particular day, the Holy Spirit descended upon them.  This is called a theophany, a manifestation of the divine.  

Although there were many different languages being spoken, when the Apostles began to preach, each person heard them in their own language.  This is known as speaking in tongues.  The Holy Spirit gave the Apostles many gifts, the most important of which was courage to proclaim the Good News.

MEDITATIO:

I grew up calling the Holy Spirit, the Holy Ghost.  Holy Spirit is really more accurate because spirit evokes breath, wind, and God's breath, like wind can be sent, placed and poured.  On Pentecost, those gathered felt the force of God.  This is described as tongues of fire.

ORATIO:

Lord, the Apostles' ministry is mine, also.  I want to preach Your Word.  Help me, Lord.

CONTEMPLATIO:

Holy Spirit, I love You.

RESOLUTIO:

I resolve to live according to the Spirit, and not to the world.

Pray for Openness

 Fr. Uni tells the story of being in the seminary where his spiritual director told him to pray for openness.  

I thought this meant being open to other people, other's ideas, etc..  That's not what the spiritual director meant.  He meant to be open to God and God's Word and Spirit.

Here in my late years, I learn and pray for openness.  

Unraveling a Tangled Mess

 Here is the book that was the inspiration for my posts on the Burghers of Calais.  In the beginning of the book, Gamache meets his godfather under the statue of The Burghers.  They explained enough to wet my appetite, so I googled to learn more. Going further down the rabbit hole, I imagined my own story.  Both posts were gleaned from Louise Penny's All the Devils are Here.

This is my first Inspector Gamache novel and I know for sure I'm going to read the whole story.  In the beginning, I didn't know who was who and I had to write the characters down.  The story is about a family.  Inspector Gamache is from Montreal but he is visiting family in Paris, namely his son and daughter who live in Paris.  Daniel Gamache, the son, and his father, Inspector Armand Gamache have a difficult relationship. We eventually find out the cause.  Anne, is the Gamache daughter who is expecting a baby, any time soon.

Inspector Gamache also visits his godfather, who raised him.  Right before his eyes, the godfather is run down by a car.  Gamache, being a cop, knew instinctly that it was a deliberate hit and run.  The car actually accelerated to hit Stephen, the godfather. And when the Gamaches went to Stephen's apartment, they found a dead man.  The mystery evolves and eventually all are involved in solving the crime.

Armand Gamache's wife, Reine-Marie, is a research librarian and works in Paris' archives to trace business permits and newspaper reports, to figure out what was going on.  Daniel Gamache uses his bank connections to trace dealings.

Inspector Gamache's friend Dussault, the prefect of police in Paris is a friend, or is he?  And Dussault isn't the only person and relationship that is suspicious.

I won't give out spoilers except to tell you that I loved the ending.  Anne's baby has Downs Syndrome and she is welcomed into the family.  Yay!  I love it.  Everything else is tied up nicely, too.

Near the end, the Gamaches return to their home, Three Pines.  It sounds idyllic.  The neighbors are characters and often involved in the stories, I gather.  But I'll have to start with the first in the series, to appreciate and read more of the Gamache Family.