Today we celebrate the feast of St. Luke the Evangelist. And truth be told, I needed to do a little research on St. Luke. Believed to have been a doctor, St. Luke is the patron saint of Artists, Brewers, Butchers, Notaries, Glass workers, and Physicians. Sadly, I am none of those, so I look to take inspiration from Luke’s infamous attention to detail in his accounts and writings. In today’s Gospel, Luke recounts how Jesus sent disciples out together to spread the good news. They were called to pack lightly and to sit humbly with others.
Reflecting on the Gospel today reminded me of two situations – one I’ve experienced and one I have heard about. Working alongside Jesuits over the years, I have learned about the Novice experiment in which Novices in their first year are given a sum of money and are to depend on others (and God) as they journey and return home. I always knew it as $30 and 30 days, but I’ve also heard of $50 and a couple of weeks (inflation is real). Harkening back to the Constitutions, this pilgrimage is foundational in their formation to help them encounter God in new, profound, and unexpected ways. If you ever have a chance to ask about someone’s pilgrimage and they are willing to share, I encourage you to do so (or for those who appreciate a good read).
When I used to work with our students studying in a service-learning immersion semester abroad program in the Dominican Republic, part of the curriculum was living with a host family for 10 days. American students would pack a backpack full of clothes to live in a community, hoping their Spanish skills would be good enough for the next few weeks. Our students would complete a project that the community had asked for assistance with, and at night, would eat with the family in their home. Many times, students were overwhelmed with the hospitality of their host families, feeding them or overfeeding them in their minds. Families that had little to offer would sacrifice their family chicken so that the student would have a good meal. Students who were stuffed by the many courses offered didn’t dare turn down another helping since they didn’t want to offend their hospitality. By the end of the week, gratitude was expressed through hugs and tears as promises to come back in broken Spanish were made (and many times later kept). Students would often reflect on the enormity of the gift of hospitality they felt living in community.
I share these stories as I reflect on the disciples in the Gospel. They were sent as pairs to sit in family homes and graciously eat what was put in front of them. Their goal was to share the Good News. The Son of God was among them. The Novices? They were to find Christ within their pilgrimage. And our students? They were to find Christ among us as and within us as well.
Where in your life have you found yourself an unexpected evangelist? Where have you been, Christ’s love for another, so that you turn and say, “The Kingdom of God is at hand for you”? And perhaps when were you the one who was the recipient of God’s love as it was shared with you?
St. Luke, we pray for humility so that you
inspire us to see Christ in one another.
Make us all pilgrims on a journey,
carrying with us only your love and your grace.
Amen.
Michele Bogard
As a product of formal Catholic education for 12 years, I truly believe my faith formation has come from working at Creighton University for the past quarter of century. Originally from the Chicago suburbs, I came to Creighton thinking that I would be in Omaha for a year or two and then move home. Little did I know how Creighton and Ignatian spirituality would alter my life plans! From accompanying students on Campus Ministry retreats, learning from former student/staff members who are now Jesuits, to working the Spiritual Exercises with the Deglman Center, I attempt to be a lifelong learner.
At work, I hope to help foster experiences where students feel a sense of belonging and focus on wellbeing, At home, I am a mother to a son who is a great source of joy, laughter and sore muscles (I am not an effective goalie for our front yard soccer practices and my tennis game is pretty rusty). A new gifted Kindle will hopefully help me catch up with a backlogged list of books I’ve been wanting to read. Carlos Ruiz Zafón is a favorite author. Travel is a lifetime passion; my son and I are already planning our next adventure.
I look forward to learning together with you as we reflect on the daily readings together.
