RBWords

     The first words highlighted for today are not from the Gospel of Luke but they describe the task of an evangelist.  The gospel scripture for today is, of course, taken from the Gospel of Luke and it describes Jesus' instructions to the disciples.  We cannot be 100% certain that the Luke mentioned in today's first scripture is the author of what is sometimes called "the third gospel," What we can say with some certitude is that the Gospel of Luke is really a two-volume work that is referred to often as "Luke/Acts."  (At least that's the way it is often called when seminarians study it or scholars write about it!).  I recommend taking the time to read the whole thing and note the wonderful treasures preserved for us that are not found in the other gospels: e.g. the story of Jesus' birth (yes, Matthew has its own version) , the parables of the Good Samaritan and the Prodigal Son - among others. In the Acts of the Apostles we are treated to the Pentecost event and the early preaching of the community and the conversion and missionary travels of St. Paul - all of it a rich preaching. 

     Indeed we must remember that all the Gospels and Acts of the Apostles are preachings, and not journalistic accounts of events.  Each of them has a portrait of Jesus and the Christian community to present.  Luke's community was clearly a Gentile Greek-speaking one.  Each gospel seems to have its own style, much like a group of good story-tellers who come from different parts of a country and have common as well as separate resources for telling a common story.  What is important is that they told (and continue to tell) that story.  Proclaiming that story is what all of us by virtue of our baptism have been "commissioned" to do.  After reading the entire New Testament, one might ask the question, "Are they all talking about the same person?"  Yes!  They are!  And so should we!  If we need an inspiring example, Luke the story-teller/preacher is as good as they come.  AMEN