Once again, I am leading a book study. This time the book is Jim Sano's novel "Self Portrait", the 3rd 4th book in the Fr. Tom series. It is a mini-book study over 4 evenings - Feb. 13th, Feb. 20th, March 5th, and March 19th - covering 8 chapters during each meeting.
To help us with our discussions, I came up with questions for us to reflect on and prepare to share during the meeting. The questions are:
- Which character struck you the most in the chapter? Why?
- Which character reminds you of yourself or someone you know? How?
- Do you empathize or sympathize with any of the characters in the chapter? Which one? Why?
- Were there any teachings or references to the Catholic faith that you picked up in the chapter? If yes, what is it and what were your thoughts?
- What do you find most compelling about the chapter? Why?
Below are my thoughts on chapters 9 & 10.
Which character struck you the most in the chapters? Why?
I would say Myles Connor; see below for my reasons why. I am reminded of this quote from the movie, "Inception":
"Do You Want To Take A Leap Of Faith Or Become An Old Man Filled With Regret Waiting To Die Alone?"
Which character reminds you of yourself or someone you know? How?
Myles Connor reminds me of people who feel that God could never forgive them and so they live without hope that comes from the real freedom of being beloved sons and daughters of the Father. Unlike the Prodigal Son who came to his "senses" and returned to his father, many of us are afraid to do so because we feel unworthy and ashamed. We must forgive ourselves and that can be a challenge; however, it can be done by the grace of God and the Sacrament of Reconciliation.
Do you empathize or sympathize with any of the characters in the chapters? Which one? Why?
I sympathize with Myles Connor because, to me, he represents all those who have lost their way in life, turned away from God, and now feels that they are beyond God's saving mercy. He certainly regrets the life choices that he made and "felt cheated by his own lack of faith." Moreover, while he is "not blind to the peace and purpose of religion, and God can bring hope to some people," he just never experienced it himself.
Were there any teachings or references to the Catholic faith that you picked up in the chapter? If yes, what is it and what were your thoughts?
Towards the end of their time with Myles Connor, we find that he is Irish Catholic; however, he is skeptical of "organized religion" to which Fr. Tom responded saying "I always wondered about the appeal of disorganized religions." Fr. Tom tells him about the repentant thief, who was crucified with Jesus, and that he is not giving up on him. Myles expressed how he "felt cheated by his own lack of faith."
What do you find most compelling about the chapters? Why?
As the investigation into the missing painting continues, Mary gave Billy & Sean the idea to keep a watch on Dougie Jones and Reggie Hope. They did time together at the penitentiary for robbing a liquor store. Thanks to Angelo, they got a "few minutes" with Myles Connor.
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