Saint Luke, Pray for Us!

~~~ Saint Luke, Evangelist ~~~

~~~ 2 Timothy 4:10-17B ~~~ Psalm 145 ~~~ Luke 10:1-9 ~~~

But the Lord stood by me and gave me strength,
so that through me the proclamation might be completed
and all the Gentiles might hear it.

It believed that Saint Luke is the author of the Acts of the Apostles.
Luke was born a Greek and a Gentile.
His writings reflect sensitivity to evangelizing Gentiles.
Luke was close friends with Saint Paul.
Even though Luke was a physician he traveled with his pen and paper.
He was a traveling writer. His writings, like the Good Samaritan,
feature the goodness and compassion of those 'lowly' non Jews.

Luke desired to write an orderly account of what has been fulfilled...
 which was handed down by those who were with Jesus.

Luke supported Paul in determination to spread the message to all of the Gentiles.

Luke's Gospel is focused on the women in the life of Jesus.
He also writes about the poor and of social justice.

The Gospel of Saint Luke gives us six miracles and eighteen parables
not found in the other three gospels.

We have Saint Luke to thank for the beautiful accounting
of the Annunciation, the Visitation, the Presentation
and the Prodigal Son.

Jesus sent out his disciples in pairs ahead of him
 to every town and place he intended to visit.

They went ahead to prime the people.
They went ahead to prepare the way for Jesus.
They were like living billboards.

They went out with one agenda; peace.
Into whatever house you enter,
first say, ‘Peace to this household.’

They were not sent to judge or to choose
who would be granted this peace.

They came to make the offer of peace; if it was well
received great if not they moved on.

Whatever peace they extended to those they met
 along the way came back to them.
There was always more to give.

If there is one thing I have learned from Saint Luke is not only
to tell the story, but to live the story every day of my life.

It is up to each one of us to live the peace of Christ.
It is up to each one of us the care for the poor.
It is up to each one of us to advocate justice for all.

‘The Kingdom of God is at hand for you.’

It is as close as your heart.
You and I make it visible to others.
Blessed through the writings of Saint Luke.
May his writings continue to enrich our lives
 and encourage us in living our faith.

~~~Peace~~~

The Cloak of Friendship

~~~ Feast of Saint Luke, Evangelist ~~~

~~~ 2 Timothy 4:10-17b ~~~ Psalm 145 ~~~ Luke 10:1-9 ~~~

 

Luke is the only one with me.

 

Some scholars believe that Saint Luke was a slave.

It is also commonly held that he was trained as a physician.

We know too he was a close friend of Paul.

Luke was a Gentile, not a Jew.

Luke also wrote the Acts of the Apostles.

While we do not know the details of his conversion

we do know that he became close friends with Saint Paul.

 

In Paul's final time in prison it is his faithful follower

and friend Luke

who remains by his side.

 

Luke's writings are unique in his perspective.

Only in Luke's Gospel do we have Mary's beautiful Magnificat.

Luke tells us of Mary's visit to Elizabeth...the Annunciation.

Only in Luke do we hear the Prodigal Son parable of mercy and forgiveness.

Like gives us a picture of Jesus consistently reaching out to sinners.

Luke seemed to have a special place in his heart for the poor and for women.

 

 

Paul is asking for some of his belongs

to be brought to him while he is in prison.

There are many things in life that hold sentimental value for us.

Paul is confined and is seeking what little comfort he can

 through some things from home.

 

When you come, bring the cloak I left with Carpus in Troas,
the papyrus rolls, and especially the parchments.

Perhaps he is cold in his cell and needs his cloak for warmth.

Maybe cooler weather is moving into the area.

Maybe he just wants to wrap himself up in his cloak...

like a security blanket.

 

The papyrus rolls and the parchments most likely

contain some of his previous writings.

Maybe they are even old journal manuscript.

Keeping a journal allows you to capture

the details and emotions connected to a certain time period or event.

 

Reading over what you have written months or years later can bring joy.

In prison, Paul continues to reach out to his followers.

Who can really cheer up Paul?

 

He is being confined, unable to go himself and preach.

He has the strong desire to be out with the others,

but that is not possible.

As he rereads his previous writings

Paul is reminded of some points he wants to include

in his subsequent letters.

 

Your friends make known, O Lord, the glorious

splendor of your Kingdom.

 

Paul was blessed to have his friend Luke.

We too are blessed with good friends in our life.

 

I am so grateful for my friends.

Like Luke, my friends bring me great comfort.

Friends provide the cloak of love and support.

 

I invite you to say a prayer today especially for your friends.

For it is by your friends that you are defined.

I strive to be worthy of my friendships.

May we offer mutual care.

Blessed through friendship.