SAINT LUKE, THE EVANGELIST

SAINT LUKE, THE EVANGELIST

Happy Feast Day from TradCatKnight!

Writer of the Third Gospel and The Acts of the Apostles

Saint Luke was born at Antioch, Syria. He was a Gentile by birth (Col. 4, 10-14) and a physician by profession (Col. 4, 14). According to tradition he was also an artist.
He was one of the earliest converts to the faith and later became the missionary companion of St. Paul, whom he accompanied on part of the second and third missionary journeys (Acts 16, 10-17); 20, 5-21) and attended during the Caesarean and Roman captivities (Acts 24 and 27; Col 4, 14). Little is known with certainty of his subsequent life.

Luke is the author of the third Gospel, written before the destruction of Jerusalem, 70 A.D., for it does not refer to the fulfillment of Christ’s prophecy. Since the Acts of the Apostles closes its narrative with the year 63 A.D., the Gospel of St. Luke, his first book, must have been written prior to 63 A.D.
The Gospel is addressed to a certain Theophilus, a man of conspicuous rank or office. Indirectly, however, this Sacred Writing was intended for the Gentile converts. The purpose of the Gospel is clearly indicated in the prologue (1, 1-4). These converts from paganism had received instruction before Baptism. St. Luke wishes now to give them a deeper and more accurate knowledge of the truths of their religion, and at the same time to show them on what a firm basis their faith is founded. There are some characteristic features that are accentuated more by St. Luke than by the other evangelists.

Many of these show the influence of St. Paul. The theme of the universality of salvation can be considered as running through the Gospel. Divine forgiveness and salvation are offered to all. The Gospel also sharply contrasts the position of pagan and Jewish womanhood, and presents many types of womanhood to its readers. The subject of prayer is also stressed. Not only does the evangelist record more frequently than others Christ as an example of prayer, but also his instructions on prayer. As an artist St. Luke shows his skill in portraying living characters and he has remained an inspiration to painters for centuries. As a historian he is comparable with the great Greek and St. Luke Painting the Madonna – By Weyden – 1435
Latin writers. In his Gospel there is a steady movement of events from Nazareth to Jerusalem, whereas in the Acts it is from Jerusalem to Rome. Source: From the preface to the Gospel of Luke found in The Holy Bible, translated from the Latin Vulgate; Confraternity Edition; Revised Chancelor-Rheims Version; Catholic Book Publishing Co. 1949.

From the Acts of the Apostles: 9: 27-31, 11:19-26

Barnabas took Saul in charge and introduced him to the apostles. He explained to them how on his journey Saul had seen the Lord, who had conversed with him, and how Saul had been speaking out fearlessly in the name of Jesus at Damascus. Saul stayed on with them, moving freely about Jerusalem and expressing himself quite openly in the name of the Lord. He even addressed the Greek-speaking Jews and debated with them. They for their part responded by trying to kill him. When the brothers learned of this, some of them took him down to Caesarea and sent him off to Tarsus.
Meanwhile throughout all Judea, Galilee, and Samaria the church was at peace. It was being built up and was making steady progress in the fear of the Lord; at the same time it enjoyed the increased consolation of the Holy Spirit.

Those in the community who had been dispersed by the persecution that arose because of Stephen went as far as Phoenicia, Cyprus and Antioch, making the message known to none but Jews. However, some men of Cyprus and Cyrene among them who had come to Antioch began to talk even to the Greeks, announcing the good news of the Lord Jesus to them. The hand of the Lord was with them and a great number of them believed and were converted to the Lord.

News of this eventually reached the ears of the church in Jerusalem, resulting in Barnabas’ being sent to Antioch. On his arrival he rejoiced to see the evidence of God’s favor. He encouraged them all to remain firm in their commitment to the Lord, since he himself was a good man filled with the Holy Spirit and faith. Thereby large numbers were added to the Lord.

Then Barnabas went off to Tarsus to look for Saul; once he had found him, he brought him back to Antioch. For a whole year they met with the church and instructed great numbers. It was in Antioch that the disciples were called Christians for the first time.
Source: The Liturgy of the Hours – Office of Readings
  

St Luke the Evangelist (Feast Day- October 18th) 

 

From a homily on the gospels by St. Gregory the Great, pope (c. 540-604)

The Lord follows his preachers

Beloved brothers, our Lord and Savior sometimes gives us instruction by words and sometimes by actions. His very deeds are our commands; and whenever he acts silently he is teaching us what we should do. For example, he sends his disciples out to preach two by two, because the precept of charity is twofold – love of God and of one’s neighbor.

The Lord sends his disciples out to preach in twos in order to teach us silently that whoever fails in charity toward his neighbor should by no means take upon himself the office of preaching. Rightly is it said that he sent them ahead of him into every city and place where he himself was to go. For the Lord follows after the preachers, because preaching goes ahead to prepare the way, and then when the words of exhortation have gone ahead and established truth in our minds, the Lord comes to live within us. To those who preach Isaiah says: Prepare the way of the Lord, make straight the paths of our God. And the psalmist tells them: Make a way for him who rises above the sunset. The Lord rises above the sunset because from that very place where he slept in death, he rose again and manifested a greater glory. He rises above the sunset because in his resurrection he trampled underfoot the death which he endured. Therefore, we make a way for him who rises above the sunset when we preach his glory to you, so that when he himself follows after us, he may illumine you with his love.

Let us listen now to his words as he sends his preachers forth: The harvest is great but the laborers are few. Pray therefore the Lord of the harvest to send laborers into his harvest. That the harvest is good but the laborers are few cannot be said without a heavy heart, for although there are many to hear the good news there are only a few to preach it. Indeed, see how full the world is of priests, but yet in God’s harvest a true laborer is rarely to be found; although we have accepted the priestly office we do not fulfill its demands.

Think over, my beloved brothers, think over his words: Pray the Lord of the harvest to send laborers into his harvest. Pray for us so that we may be able to labor worthily on your behalf, that our tongue may not grow weary of exhortation, that after we have taken up the office of preaching our silence may not bring us condemnation from the just judge.