I APOLOGIST if, in repeating an "old chestnut", I bore the reader. My reason for doing so is that I feel it gets its message over.
The story tells of a person who spent himself in planning and creating a beautiful garden. He was so proud of his achievement that he kept boasting about it to his neighbours. He was not in the mood to give credit to anyone other than himself. He was a bit "narked" when someone dared to point out that his garden's excellence was due to the Creator of "all things bright and beautiful".
"I suppose you are right," he admitted, "the lovely garden must be due to our participation with our Maker, but you should have seen this place when God had it on His own!" The story stresses cooperation. It is highlighted at harvest thanksgivings, when attention is paid to its result in bountiful crops from farms and gardens.
The list of blessings for which we give thanks is, of course, limitless. Health of body, mind and spirit would be a priority. On Saint Luke's Day (October 18th) we think of the medical profession. In the Collect, Saint Luke is called "Luke the physician". As well as being a doctor of medicine, he was a leading person in the life of the early Church. He accompanied Saint Paul on his journeys.
His character is revealed as a careful historian with respect for all people. He honours the place of women in life. It seems so right that the story of The Samaritan, with its stress on limitless human loving kindness, should have come to the world from the pen of Luke the Doctor.
The history of the medical profession's achievements in cooperating with the Source of healing is truly magnificent. . . too immense to be included here. Healed scars in our flesh will remind us of critical times when we benefited from their caring and dedication. In hospital, one is aware of so many who are part of a dedicated team working for restoration of health.
From the least known to the best known. .. receptionists and porters, the tender nursing carers, the doctors, surgeons and anaesthetists, are assisting the healing process. Believers will be able to recall the devoted care of chaplains, the prayers of their friends and the whole Church. The vision of the community involved in a harvest of healing differs from the foolish gardener who claimed the credit for himself.
In an imaginative saying of the prayer for hospitals, we grow in our appreciation of combined efforts on behalf of patients, and value sharing with them: "Almighty God, whose blessed Son went about doing good, and healing all manner of sickness; Continue, we beseech thee, this His gracious work among us, especially in the hospitals and sick rooms; cheer, heal, and sanctify the sick; grant to the physicians, surgeons, and nurses wisdom and skill. sympathy and patience; and send down thy blessing on all who labour to relieve suffering and to forward thy purposes of love." We do not forget to thank God, and them.