Rio is overshadowed with the statue of Christ the Redeemer, visible all through the city.  There seems to be something poignant about that, especially when the news reports on the death of six children by Dengue fever on the news this morning. The fact that we are all mortal and living on sufferage really gets driven home when a phone call during dinner tells your host that his friend's wife has just been killed by the disease at 42 years of age.

Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God, as You will and as You know best, have mercy on us sinners.