St. Luke, Evangelist
Today the Church commemorates the feast of Saint Luke, Evangelist, who was called by Christ to be an Evangelist and writer of the Gospel. His Gospel is unique for its detailed account of the Incarnation and the beginning of Christ’s earthly life. He is hailed for bringing the Gospel to the Gentiles and demonstrating through his incarnational theology the importance of Christ’s two natures and the profound impact of Christ’s Person and work on the greater whole of theology.
By trade, Luke was a physician. Besides this, little else is known about Luke's life prior to being called as a disciple, which likely occurred in Luke 10 when Jesus appointed 70 disciples to preach to various communities. Though the authorship of both Luke and Acts has been debated by scholars for millennia, it is often acknowledged that St. Luke was the author of both. It is also likely that Luke accompanied Paul on his missionary journeys.
Luke’s Gospel was written in Greek style, which has led several Christian historians to conclude that Luke was born into a Gentile family. Luke begins his Gospel with a dedication to Theophilus, demonstrating that his audience was largely Greek. He is credited, therefore, with bringing the Gospel to the Gentiles. Luke is also the only Gospel writer to include the parables of the prodigal son and the Samaritan woman.
His account of the Gospel is arguably the most liturgical in nature; in the first two chapters alone Luke records four of the Church's most beloved canticles, which are still widely retained today. Among many other considerable features, Luke provides the most detailed account of the Incarnation, brings extensive attention to the ministry of Jesus, and offers the most thorough account of Passion Week, which alone consumes over half of his Gospel.
Luke takes great care and detail in explaining the various events in his Gospel. His slow-paced, methodically-written account of the Gospel offers Christians an incredible insight into the human life and ministry of Jesus. Luke provides an exceptionally detailed account of the work of the Apostles after the Ascension of Christ in the Book of Acts. Luke's priceless dedication to the ministry to which he was called is an example for all Christians today, who look to the inspired Word of God for spiritual nourishment and care.
A hymn for the Feast of St. Luke*:
The Spirit holy men inspired
To write down all that God desired;
And in this Scripture we believe,
Its teachings we in faith receive.
For that belov’d physician, Lord,
Be Thou forevermore adored,
Whose Gospel shows the Savior’s love,
That He came down from heav’n above.
God’s love in Christ has been revealed,
For Christ in flesh His life did yield.
Salvation comes through Him alone
Who yielded up His heav’nly throne.
We praise Thee, Lord, for those who died
As servants of the Crucified;
May we such strength and boldness claim
As we forever praise Thy name.
The Gospel shows the Father’s grace
And points us to His loving face;
Luke’s writing points us to the One
To whom shall laud and praise be sung.
*This is a hymn I have written for the occasion of the Feast of St. Luke.
Tune: “Lord, Keep Us Steadfast in Your Word”
Collect of the Day for the Feast of St. Luke:
Almighty God, our Father, Your blessed Son called Luke the physician to be an evangelist and physician of the soul. Grant that the healing medicine of the Gospel and the Sacraments may put to flight the diseases of our souls that with willing hearts we may ever love and serve You; through Jesus Christ, Your Son, our Lord, who lives and with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.