REFLECTION/HOMILY FOR THE FEAST OF ST. LUKE (EVANGELIST) OCTOBER 2022

Homily for the Feast of St. Luke (Evangelist). 

2 Timothy 4:10-17ab; Luke 10:1-9.

Feast of St. Luke (Evangelist)

Following the assertion of the church Historian, Eusebius, St. Luke was birthed in Antioch, Syria. He was a definitely a Gentile by birth and a physician by profession since Paul calls him in his letter to the colosians "the beloved physician" (Col.4:11; 4:14).

Luke, a well educated man is the author of the third Gospel (Gospel according to St. Luke) and also of the Acts of the Apostles. He characterizes in an outstanding manner the gentleness, tenderness, tolerance and compassion of the Lord, the action of the Holy Spirit and the function of Mary as the mother of Jesus and of the Church.

St. Luke collaborated fervently with St. Paul. He was one of the earliest converts to Christianity and later became the missionary companion of St. Paul, so much so that Paul in the First Reading made remark of those who abandoned him and acknowledged that "Luke alone is with me (Paul)" (2 Tim 10:11). He was Paul's life-long companion. 

In today's Gospel, Christ Jesus instructs us like He did to his disciples, that He sends us out as lambs in the midst of wolves and without any distractions. We are called to spread Christ's peace to a world that may or may not receive Christ's peace that we bring; yet we must not fail to spread His peace because it transforms the sender and receiver positively.

St. Luke in his Gospel emphasizes the universality of the redemption of our Lord Jesus Christ. "All flesh shall see the salvation of God" (Luke 3:6). "Then people will come from east and west, from north and south, and will eat in the kingdom of God" (Luke 13:29). Luke's genealogy goes back from Jesus to Adam (Luke 3:23-38).

Luke being the author of the third Gospel encourages each one of us to write a Gospel of Jesus with our life. Whether the Gospel we write is going to be genuine or not, depends on the kind of life we live. Let us remember that we may be the only Gospel people read.

Through the intercession of St. Luke may .God grant us the grace to constantly devote our varied gifts and profession as means for the promotion of the good news of the kingdom of God. 

Have a fruitful day

Fr Remi osj