Reluctant Warrior

Dear Friends

We found out today that fellow Episcopalian, General Colin Powell, died. For those of us who have the luxury of watching the news, the day has been filled with moving stories and memories and tributes.

What has not been reported, is that today is the Feast of St. Luke. Given the fact that scholars believe Luke was a physician, it is interesting to hear some verses from today’s appointed first lesson from the 38^th chapter of Sirach (a book of Jewish wisdom from the Apocrypha). It reminds us in this day of “anti-vaxers”, some seeking religious exemptions, that we pray to God for help and healing when sick, and we also listen to and seek help from doctors!

Verse 1: “Give doctors the honor they deserve, for the Lord gave them their work to do.”

Verse 4: “The Lord created medicines from the earth, and a sensible person will not hesitate to use them.”

Verse 9: “My child, when you get sick, don’t ignore it. Pray to the Lord and he will make you well.”

Verse 12, 13: “Then call the doctor---for the Lord created him---and keep him at your side; you need him. There are times when you have to depend on his skill.”  

The second reading for today’s Feast of St. Luke is from 2 Timothy, chapter four, and includes this familiar refrain as Paul came to the end of his life:

I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.

Speaking of fighting the good fight, General Powell said just last July in an interview, “I haven’t lost a day of life fighting these two diseases.” (Multiple myeloma and Parkinson's)

One final quote, from my book pictured at the beginning of this blog, provides further inspiration for us all:

“A life is about its events; it’s about challenges met and overcome---it’s about successes and failures. But more than all of these put together, it's about how we touch and are touched by the people we meet. It’s all about the people.”

Thank you, General Powell, for your courage, honor and example, in word and deed. May many people like you find their way to positions of leadership!

John