Slice of Life Day 15 of 31: Journeys (my March theme)
Visiting Rome in June 2019 was one of the highlights of all my travel experiences. The city holds powerful ancient history, the most heartbreaking and moving sculpture in all the world, and the footprints, fingerprints, and brush strokes of the most accomplished artists who’ve ever lived. It’s a mecca for culinary delights – pastas, sauces, olive oils, pizzas, gelatos, and tiramisus.
Rome is also home to the most iconic fountain in all of Italy – the Trevi Fountain, full of the coins of those who have thrown in one coin (from their right hand over their left shoulder) wishing to return to the city of Rome, two coins to fall in love, or three coins to marry the person they love. I am blessed to be married to the love of my life, so I threw one coin.
Rome is also where Julius Caesar was betrayed and stabbed by those who conspired against him after having been warned by a soothsayer about the Ides of March.
Two conflicting ideas came to mind as I left my own footprints on the streets of Rome: persecution and promise. Each day, we make choices about what we believe – whether to live in fear of persecution or to proactively place our hope in the promise of a better tomorrow. Sunday’s sermon reminded us that we are travelers on this journey, pilgrims on the intersecting roads of time- weaving past and present to plant the seeds of the future. In a world of soothsayers seeking to squelch all hope, I turn from all bewaring of the Ides of March to beholding the fountain of promise.
I hum the postlude the pianist played in church last Sunday, “O God, our help in ages past, our hope for years to come, our shelter from the stormy past, and our eternal home.”
Hebrews 6:18
18 So God has given both his promise and his oath. These two things are unchangeable because it is impossible for God to lie. Therefore, we who have fled to him for refuge can have great confidence as we hold to the hope that lies before us.
Common Threads 
I should love to see Rome, to leave my footprints on its streets as well…those photos! I almost can’t imagine being there and beholding The Pieta or the Colosseum…but beholding hope, oh yes. Such defining contrast here between the choices offered in this ancient place of power, artistry, glory…and brutality. This is truth, beautifully conveyed: “Each day, we make choices about what we believe – whether to live in fear of persecution or to proactively place our hope in the promise of a better tomorrow.” What is the point of having tomorrows, if there is no hope? There is Mary, holding her Son…
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Another slicer posted a few Lenten suggestions from the pope, and one of them sort of parallels your slice today. I won’t get it quite right, but it was something like fast on words of dissatisfaction and feast on a sense of gratitude. It’s another of the conflicting ideas. Clearly there is plenty to be dissatisfied about (showing us what needs attention (fixing), but it’s also important to remember the things that give us a sense of gratitude so we don’t wallow in the negatives. Thanks for focusing on the positive instead of the ominous date.
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Rome is truly beautiful. The rich history leaves you in awe. I have been a couple of times, and already want to go back!
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The summer before I got married (1984), I went to Rome alone to visit a friend. It was the most wonderful month I have ever spent traveling. Your photos bring me back. I really do need to return. I had so many wonderful adventures. When I went to the Sistine Chapel, they had just finished restoring it. I looked up at Adam reaching out to the hand of God, and I wept. So powerful. So beautiful – Michaelangelo!
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I would have liked that sermon, Kim, and love the way you’ve woven it into this post. I visited Rome in 2015, but the Trevi Fountain was undergoing renovation, so I did not get to see it in its glory or throw a coin into it. I hope to visit Rome again some day and take Ken.
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A beautiful rich slice with so many threads and so much to ponder on, I agree with the previous comments. I agree, we must turn to the fountain of promise/hope.
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