FEAST OF ST LUKE, OCTOBER 18, 2023

MASS READINGS:

Reading 1 2 Tm 4:10-17b

Beloved: 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. Get Mark and bring him with you, for he is helpful to me in the ministry. I have sent Tychicus to Ephesus. When you come, bring the cloak I left with Carpus in Troas, the papyrus rolls, and especially the parchments. Alexander the coppersmith did me a great deal of harm; the Lord will repay him according to his deeds. You too be on guard against him, for he has strongly resisted our preaching. At my first defense no one appeared on my behalf, but everyone deserted me. May it not be held against them! But the Lord stood by me and gave me strength, so that through me the proclamation might be completed and all the Gentiles might hear it.

REFLECTION

Luke is the only one with me.

St Luke was a Greek doctor who converted to Christianity. He was from Antioch in Syria. He was a companion of St Paul and joined him in his missionary work. Paul calls him “our beloved physician.” He wrote his Gospel according to St Paul's teaching. His Gospel was probably written in 70-85 AD. He also wrote the Acts of the Apostles which covers the early history of the Church. He gave careful attention to detail: Jotting down times, distances, places to stay. He especially took great care to explain to the Gentile readers the Jewish customs and the meaning of Hebrew words. In fact he is the only Gentile Christian among the Gospel writers. He emphasized that salvation was not only for the Jewish but also to the Gentiles.

"Luke is the only one with me."

In Acts of the Apostles we are brought face to face with the trials, worries and perseverance of St Paul. All deserted St Paul but St Luke was faithful.

St Luke was very loyal to St Paul. Luke appears in Acts during Paul’s second journey, remains at Philippi for several years until Paul returns from his third journey, accompanies Paul to Jerusalem, and remains near him when he is imprisoned in Caesarea. During these two years, Luke interviewed persons who had known Jesus.

His other gift was to paint and do iconography. He is known for his portraits of the Mother of Jesus. The following icons are attributed to him.

Our Lady of Vladimir Our Lady of Czestochowa Our Lady of Perpetual Help Salus Populi Romani

In the Gospel reading of today, he stresses a sense or urgency to evangelize, "carry no money bag, no sack, no sandals, greeting no one along the way"... "Eat and drink what is offered". He also delivers the message of simplicity, peace and healing to the Gentiles. They were to preach and prepare the way for the Lord to live within us. Is this not what our priests do-- Spread the word of Jesus? We are not to scatter and leave them alone, but we, especially PAPA, pray for our priests to convey the Word of God with zeal, fervor and courage. Let us pray for our priests daily.

Luke is represented by a winged ox. This is especially appropriate because in the Gospel of St. Luke, the priestly and sacrificial work of Jesus is emphasized. The ox represents the sacrificial aspect of Jesus' ministry and the wings remind us that the Gospel of Jesus Christ is to travel throughout the world.

St John Paul II referred to St Luke’s Gospel as the The Gospel of Mercy. There is a warmth to St Luke's writing, firm and precise in detail. He draws us to a closer relationship with Jesus as he describes the details of His teachings.

Saint Luke is the Patron Saint of: of artists/painters and physicians and surgeons.

God Bless You

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