PHYSICIAN, EVANGELIST AND “PAINTER” WITH WORDS

SABBATH

St. Luke left us with two books, his Gospel and the Acts of the Apostles. He dedicated both books to a certain Theophilus and they were written for Gentile Christians. St. Paul calls him the beloved physician. In many parts of the world, images of Mary are attributed to the brush of Luke. But he surely was not an artist who painted pictures with a brush; he was rather an artist who painted lovely scenes with his pen. His descriptions were so vivid that he inspired countless artists throughout the centuries to put on canvas the scenes he described. If we didn’t have Luke’s Gospel, we would not know anything about the Annunciation, the Visitation, the shepherds and angels at Bethlehem, the Presentation and the finding of the boy Jesus in the Temple. Without Luke’s Gospel, we would not know of the parables about the Good Samaritan and the Prodigal Son. We would not know anything about the Pentecost and Mary’s presence during that event, about theconversion and journeys of St. Paul, and so on. Yes, we would not know so many details from the life of Jesus, Mary and the Apostles if we do not have Luke’s two books.

The way he presents Jesus is also quite different from the way the other three evangelists do. Luke shows Jesus often in prayer. He describes Jesus as the divine physician, always merciful, compassionate, always reaching out to the marginalized in society, ready to forgive sins. No other evangelist mentions the Holy Spirit so often, guiding the early Christian communities and their leaders. If you want to know how Christianity developed in the first decades, read Luke’s Acts. When you are afraid to approach God because of your sins, read Luke’s Gospel. When you feel rejected, judged, even condemned by others, read Luke’s Gospel and approach through it the merciful Lord who in turn will reach out to you and encourage you. Fr. Rudy Horst, SVD   Reflection Question: Have I read Luke’s Gospel from the beginning to the end? Have I familiarized myself with the Acts of the Apostles?   Lord, thank You for giving us St. Luke and his inspired writings. In his books I can meet You, hear You, and feel Your compassion and love for me, a sinner. Thank You for this gifted evangelist.   St. Kevoca, pray for us.