Word to the Wise
Monday, October 18, 2010 - St. Luke the Evangelist
[2 Timothy 4:10-17b and Luke 10:1-9]The Lord Jesus appointed seventy-two disciples whom he sent ahead of him in pairs to every town and place he intended to visit.....[Luke]
Although St. Luke is regarded as the author of the gospel that bears his name and the Acts of the Apostles, as well as being patron saint of physicians, I think he should be the patron saint of travel agents or traveling salesmen (itinerant preachers?). The Gospel of Luke and the Acts of the Apostles are clearly organized around a scheme showing the gospel spreading from Nazareth to Jerusalem and from Jerusalem to the rest of the known world. The quote above shows the intent of travel (and the use of "advance men!"). The Gospel of Luke also is noted for its emphasis on the role of the Holy Spirit in the spread of the Christian message and for the positive light in which Luke shows the role of women in the early preaching. The parables of the Prodigal Son and the Good Samaritan appear only in this gospel! Luke does share a lot of material with Matthew and Mark, but organizes it differently. The "sermon on the mount" in Matthew becomes a "sermon on the plain" in Luke! And, for most Christians, the story of the birth of Jesus is completely shaped by the "infancy narrative" in Luke, from the visit of Gabriel to the visit of the shepherds! Since the beginning of last Advent, the Sunday gospels in "ordinary time" have been taken from the Gospel of Luke in accord with the three year cycle which now is Cycle C till next Advent. Because this can be a somewhat disjointed way of hearing the Word of God, I urge all my Beloved Congregation to take a few minutes and read the Gospel of Luke from beginning to end. Add the Acts of the Apostles while you're at it. It's a wonderful "trip" and a saving "story!" AMEN
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