i had the pleasure of listening to Dr. John Patrick speak at the Western christian medical dental association meeting last friday. i can't quite describe him, but i feel like i've met, intellectually and spiritually, the type of person i envision myself to be (God-willing), say, 20 years down the road. a doctor by training, but something of a philosopher and theologist as well, he speaks with british wit and stone-faced irony, and infuses his words and thoughts with those that existed centuries ago. thomas aquinas comes to mind. he keeps a little book of prayers and passages, and boy, would i like to get my hands on that, not for bargaining purposes, of course, but because he did read to us from it, and the single thing he did read from it, i found to be utterly well-written. and beautiful. and truthful. the words, in the way that they are written, waste no time to get to the point, but do so with a thoughtful, antiquated air. certainly, you don't see writing like that anymore. even i know that, and i am not even comparatively well-read.

"It becomes every man who purposes to give himself to the care of others, seriously to consider the four following things:-First, that he must one day give an account to the Supreme Judge of all the lives entrusted to his care. Secondly, that all his skill, and knowledge, and energy as they have been given him by God, so they should be exercised for His glory, and the good of mankind, and not for mere gain or ambition. Thirdly, and not more beautifully than truly, let him reflect that he has undertaken the care of no mean creature, for, in order that he may estimate the value, the greatness of the human race, the only begotten Son of God became himself a man, and thus ennobled it with His divine dignity, and far more than this, died to redeem it. And fourthly, that the doctor being himself a mortal man, should be diligent and tender in relieving his suffering patients, inasmuch as he himself must one day be a like sufferer."
Thomas Sydenham (1642-1689)

he has a website, and if you get a chance, i really urge you to listen to one of his mp3 talks. i listened to one on meaning and purpose in medicine, before going to church today, and i thought all day about it. i'm still thinking about it, i can't quite get started on pharmacology; i'd rather read c.s. lewis. or the psalms.

anyway, it's been a strange day.