Our Lady of Guadalupe

Date: October, 18

Quote:
Since many have undertaken to compile a narrative of the events that have been fulfilled among us, just as those who were eyewitnesses from the beginning and ministers of the word have handed them down to us, I too have decided, after investigating everything accurately anew, to write it down in an orderly sequence for you, most excellent Theophilus, so that you may realize the certainty of the teachings you have received. ~Luke 1:1–4

St. Luke was one of the four evangelists and a Gentile from Antioch in Syria. St. Paul calls him “the beloved physician” (Colossians 4:14), indicating his previous occupation.

As a writer, he composed the third Gospel, which provides the most extensive and thorough biography of Our Lord, as well as the Acts of the Apostles, an account of the early apostolic labors, especially those of Peter and Paul.

Between these two volumes, he wrote more of the New Testament than any other author, with St. Paul writing the second most. St. Luke is often considered the founder of Christian iconography and depicted painting images of the Blessed Mother. 

In his writing, St. Luke shows how the salvation promised to Israel was accomplished by Jesus and extended to the Gentiles. As a careful historian, Luke sets the scene of Jesus’ birth in its political context by mentioning various rulers and places at the time.

He presents a comprehensive and articulate understanding of the overall life of Jesus from His birth to His Resurrection. The overall tone of the Gospel of Luke was inviting and encouraging, as he wrote for the non-Jews of the day to understand that Jesus had not only come for the salvation of the Jews but that salvation was extended to the Gentiles and to everyone.

It is only in his gospel that we hear the parable of the Good Samaritan, that we hear Jesus praising the faith of Gentiles such as the widow of Zarephath and Naaman the Syrian (Luke 4:25-27), and that we hear the story of the one grateful leper who is a Samaritan (Luke 17:11-19).  

PRAYER: 

Saint Luke, you were a faithful servant of Saint Paul and a devout worshiper of Jesus, your Lord. You placed before God all your natural gifts, your education, time, and energy so that He could use you for the fulfillment of His holy will and the proclamation of the Gospel.

Please pray for me, that I will always devote myself without hesitation to the fulfillment of God’s will, so that God can use me as He will to draw many to Christ. Saint Luke, pray for me. Jesus, I trust in You.