ST. LUKE THE EVANGELIST
2 Timothy 4:10–17; Psalm 144; Luke 10:1–9
Luke the Evangelist is one of the Four Evangelists. The early church fathers ascribed to him the authorship of both the Gospel of Luke and the Acts of the Apostles. Prominent figures in early Christianity, such as Jerome and Eusebius, later reaffirmed their authorship.
Luke’s Gospel is, above all, the Gospel of the Merciful Heart of Jesus. It emphasizes the fact that Christ is the salvation of all men, especially of the repentant sinner and of the lowly. The Letters of the New Testament mentions Luke briefly; Col 4:14 refers to him as a physician; in today’s first reading, 2 Timothy 4:11, Paul says, ‘Luke alone is with me’. Thus, Luke is both a physician and a disciple of Paul.
The Church venerates him as a martyr and the patron saint of artists, physicians, bachelors, surgeons, students, and butchers. This celebration reminds us of our primary mandate to evangelize. Let us wake up and continue in the missionary zeal of St. Luke.
To be an effective evangelizer in this generation, we must live right. Our behavior must reflect the gospel message we preach. Avoid inconsistencies at all costs. Practice modesty and decency in your appearance, words, and behavior.
Let us pray.
Lord God, who chose Saint Luke to reveal by his preaching and writings the mystery of your love for the poor, grant that those who already glory in your name may persevere as one heart and one soul and that all nations may merit to see your salvation. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, God, for ever and ever. Amen.
Fr. Daniel Evbotokhai
