The Weary Travelers faith-sharing men's small group started a book study on Catholic author Jim Sano's novel "Stolen Blessing". After reading the novel over the summer, I prepared this reading plan for our book study and discerned the following themes:
- Introduction - Chapters 1 - 7
- Mystery - Chapters 8 - 13
- Search - Chapters 14 - 19
- Wrong Person - Chapters 20 - 25
- Confession I - Chapters 26 - 31
- Elizabeth - Chapters 32 - 37
- Jacob - Chapters 38 - 43
- Confession II - Chapters 44 - 49
- Forgiveness & Hope - Chapters 50 - 53
We have 5-6 men doing this book study and hope that more will join us, although I am planning to close things off after All Saints Day (11/1). We met for the first book study on October 11th and for the second book study on October 25th. Unfortunately, I was not able to attend the October 25th book study because of work but I am confident that the men had great discussions.
Below are my thoughts on chapters 1 to 7 of "Stolen Blessing" [and *SPOILER ALERT*].
Chapter 1: We are introduced to brothers - Erick & Jack Comghan - as they practice for the state championship game in basketball in Queens. We are also introduced to sisters - Addie & Rachel Kerrins. The four of them appear to have a close friendship and, there is no doubt, that the two brothers are very close and supportive of each other. However, we are also introduced to their coach and what struck me is this thought from Erick at the end of the chapter: "Maybe then, Coach will thing I'm good enough?" Erick looks up to Coach and works hard to prove himself to Coach. We do not know if the team won the state championship or not.
Chapter 2: Fast-forward 13 years into the future and we are now at Saint Francis Church in Boston. Fr. Tom Fitzpatrick is preparing for the baptism of Elizabeth, who is the daughter of Erick & Addie. While it is a joyous occasion, we can sense a strain in the relationship between Erick & Jack and also less affection between Erick & Addie, through the observant eyes of Fr. Tom. Nevertheless, Jack and Rachel are the godparents of Elizabeth.
I love this description of what it means to be baptized in our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ: "With His love and grace, she [Elizabeth] won't need to look to others, to things, or to accomplishments for acceptance or her self-worth and identity, but to the only place it exists, which is in God Himself" (p. 5).
I think this is very important for us to understand because we must remember that we are secured in the Lord. I hear lots of stories about bullying and how the victim of bullying loses his / her sense of self-worth and identity because of what the bully said. I cannot only pray that the children these day can find their self-worth and identity in Christ and not in anything of this world. Unfortunately, with God removed from schools, it becomes more and more challenging. The key then is, parents must strengthen their faith so they can strengthen their children's faith to help them overcome these challenges of self-worth and identity that the face with in their lives.
Chapter 3:What happened to Erick? Where is Elizabeth? The mystery begins and we are introduced to Boston PD detectives Tony Brooks and Jan Mullen. We are also introduced to the groundskeeper at Saint Francis Church, who has a beautiful story that is told in the Jim Sano novel "The Father's Son". In times of great uncertainty, all we can do is pray, just as Fr. Tom says at the end of the chapter: "I'll be praying."
In recent years, people have become very cynical of the phrase "thoughts and prayers" after a tragedy. And while it is true that we should take action where and when we can to affect change in our communities, we still need prayers because prayers change and convert hearts, through the power of the Holy Spirit, so there is nothing wrong with offering our "thoughts and prayers."
Chapter 4: Fr. Tom and Angelo Salvato visit Erick in the hospital, which Fr. Tom "made the Sign of the Cross on Erick's forehead and said a short prayer" for him (p. 13). We find out a little more about Angelo. He grew up without a father but spent thirty (30) years in a cell with a "man that changed his life and saved his soul" (p. 14). [NOTE: to find out more, read "The Father's Son".]
We also learn that Detective Tony Brooks last name is "Brucato" but his grandfather changed the family's last name because Italian migrants were discriminated against and he could not find work. I, too, changed my name to "Andy" back in kindergarten because the teachers and students had a hard time pronouncing my Vietnamese name. I did not switch back to my Vietnamese name until I was in college.
Chapter 5:We learn more about Erick & Addie from Fr. Tom as well as their relationship with their siblings, Jack & Rachel, which he describes as "cold" although they were "very charming individually" (p. 18). We also learn that Erick never talks about his own family, which explains Jack's remark earlier that he is not surprised that Fr. Tom does not know that Erick even has a brother.
There are two mysteries - Elizabeth is missing AND the $30,000 in fifty-one-ounce gold coins that are also missing - that Detective Brooks has to solve.
Chapter 6: A paternity test requested by Erick? What is going on here? Does Erick suspect that Addie cheated on him? That Elizabeth may not be his daughter? The mystery deepens.
"The road to hell is paved with good intentions," replied Fr. Tom (p. 22). This reminded me of the Penitential Rite at Mass when we pray the Confiteor and say: ". . .that I have gravely sin. In my thoughts, in my words, in what I have done and in what I have FAILED to do. . ." Perhaps what we have failed to do are our "good intentions" that Fr. Tom speaks of?
Chapter 7: We are introduced to a mysterious person - Jimi Johnson - who is traveling to Tijuana with a baby and a cash with him. What is going on here?
During our discussions at the first book study, one of the guys mentioned that the story of Erick & Jack reminds him of Abel & Cain (Genesis 4:1-16) and Jacob & Esau (Genesis 27:1-45) from Scripture. As I mentioned, I missed our book study on Oct. 25th because of work but I look forward to rejoining the Weary Travelers on All Saints Day as we discuss Chapters 14 - 19.
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