Oct 18 Luke b~10 d. 84

John and Thommy

good morning
I love you

Each year on St. Luke’s feast day, I remember with greatest admiration, Sister Luke – who’s still at Overbrook by the way [and Overbrook, actually the Dominican campus, has undergone tremendous change since you last saw it – all for the better it seems.] One of the things this feast does is to nudge me into sending the sisters a contribution for the school in Sister Luke’s honor. When I do that, I return to reconsider the choice of Overbrook over St. Henry; and how I played Thommy’s application/interview to leverage our opportunity to get both of you into the school….

The first question – which Catholic School? unfortunately, after your mother’s divorce, the question changed [which school? A very different question. A very wrong message.] With all of our familial challenges with the school, it was the right choice of schools. The day to day life within the walls of the institution, in the classrooms, the ambiance in the hallways et al., it was/is definitely a Catholic School. It’s also a Dominican school – not such a bad thing, probably a very good thing – it was for y’all and maybe too for your parents.

I hope you remember to send a donation at least once a year…. Having the good sisters praying for you is worth many grace points, maybe some indulgences thrown in for good measure…. 

Sister Luke is truly the best Kindergarten teacher I have ever met, seen, or heard of! First there’s her unconditional love for the children – personal, Catholic, Dominican love! She’s a holy and gracious person. Just being around her would be a blessing – and you had that opportunity five days/week for a year and then for years after that too she was anchoring the southwest corner of the school; her presence is radiant…. [as a child psychologist, I’ve been blessed to meet, see, hear about many teachers. you got lucky with several of the best at Overbrook. Another reason for you to give an annual donation.

More than monetary donations, you should also include in your prayers the students, faculty, staff, and benefactors of Overbrook School – for their benefit and yours….

I love you
dad



October 18
St Luke b. ~10 d. 84


What we know about Luke comes as much from tradition as from scripture – and tradition [and Catholic historians] is more than oral history, it’s an authentically vetted handed down of what was and what of that is important for us to know for our faith and religion.

We’re not sure where Luke was born. We do know that Luke was a gentile – i.e., one of us : probably a Greek, though some say Antioch in Syria. Paul clearly identifies Luke as not a Jew [where you are not listed is as telling as where you are. see Col: 10-14]

Luke’s gospel gives unique emphasis to the Christianization of Gentiles, how the Gentiles also have their/our place in the kingdom of God. e.g., he gives us the parable of the good Samaritan; he reports Jesus’ praising the faith of Gentiles Zarephath and Naaman; and he tells us that the one grateful leper is a Samaritan….

Taking a gestalt approach to Luke, how do you fit in the shoes of the good Samaritan [not an oxymoron anymore, just like a good Catholic is not redundant, unfortunately….]; how would Jesus praise your faith? for your cures, your benefits, your resources, your talents, how are you grateful? - - - all ten lepers were cured. the nine that kept on their merry way, were still cleansed of their sores. what’s the big deal about the grateful leper, the Samaritan - - is it that being grateful was then [as now? for you?] not a trait of the in-crowd? how different were the nine than the one? what difference did it make not being grateful; not saying thank you to the source of the gift? ….

Luke was a physician. he is patron saint of doctors and surgeons. and, he was likely a slave at first. one trained in medicine for his owning family. starting as one with nothing, not even personhood, Luke took his talents, the resources he was given, and the gifts of education et al., and became a physician – pursuing healing, eventually making that a pursuit of healing of souls….

at the moment, it does not appear that you will become physicians. whatever. the lesson from Luke includes the blessings and effects of assimilating all that you are and all that you are given to be all that you can be, to pass it forward, to be grateful and enrich those from whom you have received by honoring them not only with thanks but with how you excel in the use of the blessings you have…. a duty….

Luke was a companion of Paul’s and probably a confidant of Mary’s [how else did he get some of the details?] It is important whose company we keep – to whom we give loyalty – how well we fulfill the duties of friendship and follower, learner and disciple. Luke not only did it, he gave us his story and the story of the early Christians, our early faith, even the events and stories that helped shape that faith…. Luke joined Paul in about 51 AD and traveled with him extensively as well as making his independent contributions to, e.g., Philippi. Goes to show you, we are called to serve with others and likely to also do good on our own – no matter what our vocation….

At the end of Paul’s life, his final imprisonment, Luke stayed with Paul. what does that say about their relationship? with whom are you so dedicated to stay with him/her in prison, no matter what!? … this bond between Paul and Luke – what does it say about the importance of disciples to the well being and success of the leader? how much of Paul’s success, his sustaining efforts, can be attributed to his sidekicks? how much of Luke’s being a physician was important to their relationship? God’s plan? Luke could not of imagined how he would bring his physician training to the success of Christianity! he wouldn’t have dared thought about it. you cannot know where God is leading you when he gives you resources, talent, opportunities. but you risk much dissing any of that. for whom are you a Tonto? or a Luke? and when you are the leader, whom do you draw to yourself to enhance your well being and your chances of success? how do you select the people around you? by what they add to your salvation and vocation?....

In Luke’s gospel, there are six miracles and eighteen parables not in any of the other gospels. Luke had, it appears, a very different mission, vision, audience, purpose…. As much as Matthew’s gospel is one for social justice and John’s for mysticism [I’m not sure what Mark’s is uniquely for], Luke’s gospel is for the poor and how we should serve them – or what to expect when we do not share, give away, our riches! e.g., Lazarus and the rich man. Luke’s beatitude is “blessed are the poor” not ‘blessed are the poor in spirit.’ try, too, the Magnificat, e.g., God has… lifted up the lowly; he has filled the hungry with good things, and sent the rich away empty.’ in what state do you want to approach the pearly gates?

In addition to the poor, Luke tells us about God’s mercy to sinners – that’d be us, yes?! here’s a theme for the spiritual physician. the Prodigal Son: or, these days, the beneficent father. the forgiven women at the marriage feast, Jesus consistently taking the side of the sinner who seeks God’s mercy…. the quality of mercy is not strained…. moreso forgiveness!

St. Luke is always represented by the calf or ox, the sacrificial animal, because his Gospel begins with the account of Zachary, the priest, the father of John the Baptist.


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