Word to the Wise
Wednesday, October 18, 2023 - Oct. 18 - St. Luke, evangelist
[2 Tim 4:10-17b and Luke 10:1-9]Demas, enamored of the present world, deserted me and went to Thessalonica, Crescens to Galatia, and Titus to Dalmatia. Luke is the only one with me. [1 Timothy]
OCTOBER 18, 2023 ST. LUKE, evangelist
Many, many years ago I read Taylor Caldwell's fictional life of St. Luke, DEAR AND GLORIOUS PHYSICIAN. It gave me a lasting affection for the gospel that bears his name. Much tradition surrounds him as being a physician [Col. 4:14] and the author of the Gospel According to Luke and the Acts of the Apostles. Whatever scripture scholarship may contribute to identifying the Luke of the letters where he is a companion of St. Paul, as being the evangelist who wrote the gospel and the Acts of the Apostles, we are indebted to the evangelist for much of what we know about the early missionary life of the church.
The Gospel According to Luke contains the wonderful infancy narrative of Jesus' conception and birth which we celebrate at Christmas. It alone has preserved the parables of the Good Samaritan, Lazarus and the Rich Man, the Rich Fool, the two sons, the Prodigal Son and the Dishonest Steward. The Acts of the Apostles gives us the description of the Pentecost event and much of what we know about the conversion of St. Paul and his missionary journeys and the Council of Jerusalem which made the important decision about Gentile converts and Jewish observances. Although Luke borrowed a lot from the Gospel According to Mark and had access to a separate set of traditions which scripture scholars call "Q," he softens some of the harder edges of teachings and events which may be the result of longer memory in the community. Luke's portraits of women and the role of the Holy Spirit and the dangers of material wealth are prominent features.
Today we give thanks to God for the portrait of Jesus and the missionary disciples, including Luke, that is preserved for our inspiration by the Holy Spirit. He stayed with St. Paul, and he stays with us. AMEN