Monday, October 18, 2021

 Feast of Saint Luke, evangelist

 (II Timothy 4:10-17b; Luke 10:1-9)

 St. Luke was not one of Jesus’ original disciples.  He did not know Jesus as Peter and James did.  He might have been a companion of Paul as today’s first reading suggests.  But he received his information about the Lord from others.  He says as much in the prologue to his gospel:  “I too have decided, after investigating everything thoroughly to write it down in an orderly sequence…”

As the other evangelists, Luke imbues his record of Jesus with his own theology and his own emphases.  Some of this perspective may be found in the gospel today.  Luke more than the other evangelists pictures Christ as poor and favoring the poor.  In today’s swath Jesus sends his disciples out without even sandals on their feet.  But from the very beginning Luke’s gospel is good news.  The preachers are to say to all, whether they listen or not, “The Kingdom of God is at hand for you.”

We can be as grateful for Luke’s gospel as for all the others.  As Matthew gives us a firm theology of Church and Mark portrays Jesus in a very human way and John shows beyond doubt that Jesus is divine, Luke communicates to us Jesus as a man of peace, born of a mother who rejoiced at his coming, and wrapped in the Spirit of prayer.  Whether he was a physician or an artist, we cannot say for sure.  But as an evangelist, he was wonderful.

Thursday, October 18, 2018

Feast of Saint Luke, evangelist

(II Timothy 4:10-17b; Luke 10:1-9)

In a sense today, today we celebrate a Scripture more than a man.  We know very little about St. Luke other than what can be gleaned from his writing.  The New Testament references to him are thin.  Indeed, it cannot be said with complete certainty that the “Luke” found in the writings attributed to St. Paul is the author of the third gospel.  Nothing is known of how he died, much less of where he was born. This is said not to create skepticism but awe for the magnificent work of this evangelist.

Luke refers to himself directly only twice in his New Testament writings.  At the beginning of his gospel he says that he investigated “everything accurately anew.”  He does present much material that is not found in the other gospels – the parable of the Good Samaritan and the Prodigal Son, for examples, as well as the Christmas story from the viewpoint of Mary.  The writings’ classical style and polished Greek indicate that Luke was well educated.  Luke emphasizes the Holy Spirit in both his gospel and the Acts of the Apostles.  Not only are there numerous references to the Spirit’s presence, but also the effects of the Spirit are manifest.  More than the other evangelists, Luke pictures Jesus and the disciples praying.  Also, he testifies to the Spirit’s uniting all people by continually including women and both the poor and the wealthy.

Luke is often referenced as the patron of physicians and artists.  We could easily see him as the sponsor of writers, scholars and charismatic prayer groups as well.  He is also a special friend of women, of the poor, and of those with great Marian devotion.  Really all Christians are indebted to him.  He deepened, expanded, and colored our knowledge of our Savior.  How can we not toast him and pray to him today?

Wednesday, October 18, and Thursday, October 19, 2017

Feast of Saint Luke, evangelist

(II Timothy 4:10-17b; Luke 10:1-9)

If the Church were to use only one gospel, many people would want it to be the Gospel According to Luke.  Although not the most profound theologically, Luke’s Gospel shines in ways that touch the human heart deeply.  It gives the most detailed account of Jesus’ birth as well as of Mary, the mother of God.  It also relates the most memorable of Jesus’ parables and shows Jesus constantly in prayer.  This list could go on almost indefinitely.

We call the author of the third gospel “Luke” but cannot be sure who he was or even if “Luke” was really his name.   Several sources from the second century identify him with the Luke who is occasionally mentioned in the Pauline letters as we heard today.  Because at one point in these letters he is described as a “beloved physician,” he is honored by medical professionals as their patron.  He is also said to have painted a portrait of the Virgin Mother which is kept in the Basilica of St. Mary Major Thus, he enjoys the patronage of artists as well.  But it seems more accurate to name his profession as how he describes himself: an historical researcher who puts in good order the events of the life of Christ (see Luke 1:1-3). 

Yet Luke is more than a historian because his narrative, as we see in today’s gospel, announces the “kingdom of God.” Luke found that kingdom personified in Jesus himself who comes to show mercy on all.  Luke is especially careful to show the inclusiveness of this “all” as he is especially solicitous of the poor, women, and almost hopeless sinners. 

Memorial of Saints Jean Brebeuf, Isaac Jogues, priest and martyrs, and companions, martyrs

(Romans 3:21-30; Luke 11:47-54)

A lovely story indicates the sanctity of the North American Martyrs whom we celebrate today.  St. Isaac Jogues was captured by the Iroquois and tortured terribly.  His fingers were cut off, but he was able to escape his captors and eventually returned to France for healing.  While there, he wrote the pope for permission to celebrate the Eucharist since Church law at the time specified that the priest’s hands must be intact to celebrate Mass.  The pope wrote back saying that anyone who sheds his blood for Christ should not be denied the privilege of drinking the blood of Christ. (Another note: at the time only priests at the altar drank from the chalice.)  Isaac then returned to North America where he was captured again and martyred.

In today first reading Paul tells how Christ died to save all – Jew and Gentile.  But to be saved one must believe in his death and resurrection.  Jean Brebeuf, Isaac Jogues, and companions not only believed but also demonstrated their faith by risking their lives as missionaries.  Their eloquent testimony with blood has brought many Native Americans to embrace the faith and edifies the character of others.

Today we accept the doctrine of Vatican II that one does not have to explicitly profess faith in Christ for to be saved.  We hold that following one’s conscience can result in salvation.  But we should not fool ourselves into thinking that following one’s conscience is simply a matter of acting consistently with whatever values one claims.  No, one must discern that the God who made us also loves us and that we must follow His lead.  It is a tall order indeed to believe this without first-hand witness to Jesus Christ.

Friday, October 18, 2013

Feast of Saint Luke, evangelist

(II Timothy 4:10-17b; Luke 10:1-9)

The Hebrew song “Dayenu” has been sung at Jewish Passover suppers for over a thousand years.  The words mean it would have been enough and refer to the many marvelous deeds that God had performed for the children of Israel. “Dayenu,” the people sing, “that He had brought us out of Egypt”; “dayenu…that He “had fed us manna”; “dayenu…that he “had given us the Torah”; and so on.  In considering the Gospel of St. Luke we may also want to sing “Dayenu.”

Luke’s gospel by far tells us more of the Virgin Mary than the other three – dayenu, that alone would have been enough for us to read it.  It also contains Jesus’ most beautiful parables – “The Prodigal Son,” “The Good Samaritan,” and “Lazarus and the Rich Man” – dayenu, that fact alone would have been enough to satisfy us.  And only Luke relates Jesus in a manger as he is born and begging forgiveness for his persecutors as he dies on a cross – dayenu, how could anyone ask for more.

We know nothing for certain about St. Luke.  The report that he was a physician and a disciple of Paul does not have great historical credibility.  But there is a sense in which we know him intimately.  Like us he loved Jesus for showing God’s mercy.  Like us he had a special regard for Jesus’ Virgin Mother.  And like us he longed to see the Church grow so that the entire world might live together in peace.

Thursday, October 18, 2012

Feast of Saint Luke, evangelist

(II Timothy 4:10-17b; Luke 10:1-9)

If the Church were to use only one gospel, many people would want it to be the Gospel According to Luke. Although not the most profound theologically, Luke’s Gospel shines in ways that touch us deeply. It gives the most detailed account of Jesus’ birth as well as of Mary, the mother of God. It also relates the most memorable of Jesus’ parables and shows Jesus constantly in prayer. This list could go on almost indefinitely.

We call the author of the third gospel “Luke” but cannot be sure who he was or even if “Luke” was really his name. Several sources from the second century identify him with the Luke who is occasionally mentioned in the Pauline letters as we heard today. Because at one point in these letters he is described as a “beloved physician,” he is honored by medical professionals as their patron. Perhaps because of his beautiful descriptions of characters such as the prodigal son and the good Samaritan, it is also said that he was an artist and so enjoys the patronage of that profession as well. But it seems more accurate to name his profession as how he describes himself: an historical researcher who puts in good order the events of the life of Christ (see Luke 1:1-3).

But Luke is more than a historian because his narrative, as we see in today’s gospel, announces the “kingdom of God.” Luke found that kingdom personified in Jesus himself who comes to show mercy on all people, especially those whom the world tends to ignore – the poor, women, and almost hopeless sinners.

Tuesday, October 18, 2011

Feast of Saint Luke, evangelist

(II Timothy 4:10-17b; Luke 10:1-9)

Today many dioceses sponsor an annual “White Mass” for medical professionals because it is said that St. Luke, whose feast is being celebrated, was a doctor. The legend comes from the Letter to the Colossians which calls Luke “the beloved physician.” There is as well a subtle shred of evidence within the gospel testifying to Luke’s being a medical practitioner; namely, of all the evangelists Luke takes the most critical attitude toward lawyers.

Luke has also been named the “patron of artists.” This distinction stems from a tradition that he was a painter as well as a doctor. Another reason to call Luke an artist is his ability to retell Jesus’ parables. With all the acumen of a Chaucer or Dante Luke relates the stories of “The Prodigal Son,” “The Good Samaritan,” and “Lazarus and the Rich Man” – all of which are exclusively found in his gospel.

We also might call Luke the “patron of the poor” for his gospel and the Acts of the Apostles, which he also wrote, give paramount consideration to the lowly of the earth. We can as well designate Luke the “patron of prayer” and “patron of the Holy Spirit” –themes that are at least as pronounced in his gospel than in the others. Finally, while we are at it, let’s declare Luke the “patron of Marian devotion” and “patron of devotion to the child Jesus.” Once again, no gospel writer has as much to say on these topics as Luke.

Homilette for Thursday, April 16, 2009

Thursday in the Octave of Easter

(Acts 3:11-26; Luke 24:35-48)

If on the cross the Jews executed an innocent man, Christians have more than excised repayment. Their crimes against Jews through the centuries are extensive and bloody. At times Christian leaders supported or at best turned a blind eye to these atrocities. Interestingly, the Gospel according to Luke and Luke’s Acts of the Apostles takes a judicious approach to the Jewish people’s complicity in Jesus’ death. On the cross in Luke’s passion narrative Jesus prays for forgiveness of his persecutors. “Father, forgive them,” he says, “for they do not know what they are doing.” In today’s reading from Acts, Peter reiterates the Lucan interpretation of Jewish responsibility. Addressing himself to the Jews of Jerusalem, Peter says, “’...you acted out of ignorance, just as your leaders did.’”

The ignorance of the Jews does not so much regard the night trial and swift execution of Jesus as the inability to recognize who he is. As Peter indicates, he is God’s “Holy and Righteous One” sent to bring new life to the people. It is a large truth for us to grasp even after two millenniums of spiritual reflection. We continue to sin, and our sins conspire with those of the Jews and the Romans in Jerusalem that fateful Passover when Jesus was put to death. So we like the Jews addressed by Peter do not fully know what we do when we ridicule others or take something that does not belong to us. And, yes, we too, become beneficiaries of Jesus’ prayer for forgiveness from the cross.