We all know that St Luke is one of the 4 evangelists whose Gospels are included in the New Testament. Scripture scholars surmise from his Gospel that Luke was a Gentile Christian who accompanied St Paul during part of his missionary journeys. Referred to by Paul as the “beloved physician,” he has traditionally been referred to as a medical doctor.
Luke's Gospel is closely associated with God’s mercy, since Luke gives special attention to the poor, the marginalized, the outcast, and the oppressed in his Gospel. Luke’s Gospel gives us the Magnificat, the hymn of social justice presented by Mary in response to the blessing she receives from her cousin Elizabeth. Luke’s Gospel also includes the description of the birth of Jesus in the poor manger. Jesus - the King of Kings - is born amongst the poorest of the poor. We think of St Francis who we have experienced in the Assisi these last couple of days - Luke's Gospel would coincide with Francis' vision of the mercy of Christ and with his love for the poor and the vulnerable.
In the Gospel reading we hear today, notice how Jesus sends his disciples out as missionaries with very little to weigh them down - no money bag, no knapsack, no sandals. They are to proclaim the Gospel to each town and village where they enter, accepting the welcome and the hospitality that is accorded them. And where they are not welcomed, they knock off the dust from their shoes and they move along to the next town or village. May we also have the same courage and tenacity as we travel on our journey and proclaim the Good News.
The antiphon for today’s feast of Luke, the Evangelist declares: “How beautiful upon the mountains are the feet of him who brings glad tidings of peace, bearing good news, announcing salvation.” Blessed are those who heard Christ’s Gospel, who pondered in their hearts, who passed down the Gospel to us. Blessed are those missionaries and proclaimers of the Gospel today who make sacrifices to spread the Gospel to the ends of the earth. We give thanks to St Luke and the other men and women of the Early Church, who gave witness to the Gospel that we continue to proclaim today.
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