July 21 John with Benignus 7th c. and John of Edessa 6th c.

John and Thommy,

Not much on the saints for today, 7-21: except the biggie, Lawrence of Brindisi, but he’s not a Jesuit or a William, Thomas, John, Kenneth, or Uriel….

The St. John, companion of Benignus, was a seventh century Benedictine: d. 707 Their bio in the sites I’ve scanned is about two or three short sentences, each including the fact that they were trained by St Hiduiphus [another saint I don’t know but obviously an important seventh century Benedictine teacher. Look him up or wait for his day to pop him up for you….].

St John of Edessa, a sixth century Syrian Hermit has the claim to fame of being a companion of St Simeon Salus: hanging out together at Sinai on the Red Sea at Edessa.

So we are known by our place of birth, our place of settling and making our mark, by our teachers, and by our companions - - our own holiness, our austerities, our contributions all gain traction, noteworthiness, impact even not in and of themselves but the circumstantial factors….

Think about it when you decide where to be, whom to be with, who are your mentors and models and inspirations….

I love you
Dad