St Luke is one of the four evangelists whose Gospels are included in the New Testament. 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,” it is assumed that Luke was a medical doctor.
Luke’s Gospel gives special attention to the poor, the outcast, marginalized, and the oppressed. His Gospel gives us the Magnificat, the hymn of social justice presented by Mary in response to her blessing from her cousin Elizabeth. His Gospel includes the description of Christ’s birth in the manger in Bethlehem. Luke describes Jesus as the King of Kings who is born amongst the poorest of the poor.
In today's Gospel, we notice how Jesus sends his disciples out as missionaries with very little to weigh them down: no money bag, no knapsack, and no sandals. They are to proclaim the Gospel in the towns and villages they enter. They are to accept the welcome and hospitality that is given them. Where they are not welcomed, they are knock off the dust from their shoes and they move along. May we also have the same courage and steadfastness as we travel on our journey and proclaim Christ’s 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 the Gospel message in their hearts, and who passed down the Gospel to us. 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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