By Jean M. Heimann

October 18 is the feast of St. Luke the Evangelist. It is believed that he was born a Greek and a gentile. A physician at Antioch, and a painter, St. Luke became a convert of Saint Paul and afterwards his fellow-evangelizer.

Luke was the writer of the Gospel and its “companion volume,” the Acts of the Apostles, and has been identified with St. Paul’s “Luke, the beloved physician” (Colossians 4:14). St. Luke shared the shipwreck and perils of Saint Paul’s voyage to Rome, and was with him in his last days. He later died a martyr’s death in Achaia.

After St. John, St. Luke’s beautiful writings (both his Gospel and Acts of the Apostles) are my favorite part of the New Testament. Although Luke was not an eye witness, he was a historian who carefully researched his material and obtained details from eye witnesses.  Scholars estimate that much of his writing was done around 70 A.D.

As a physician, Luke emphasizes the miracles and the merciful love of Jesus, which heals his children and welcomes all into his arms — especially the sinner, the outcast, the gentile. Luke shows us the compassion of Jesus, especially toward women and children. He gives prominence not only to the group of women who follow him from the beginning of his ministry, but he also places a special emphasis on the Blessed Virgin Mary, from the Incarnation and the infancy narratives to his mention of her being present with the Apostles at Pentecost. His is the only Gospel to give an account of the parables of the Good Samaritan and the Prodigal Son. Luke’s gospel is noted for its praise and thanksgiving and is a very poetic book. For example, Mary’s song, 1:46-55. Song of Zacharias, 1:68-79, and The Song of the Angels, 2:8-14. Finally, Luke’s is the gospel of Jesus praying, and his parables concerning prayer.

The Catechism of the Catholic Church tells us: “The Gospel according to St. Luke emphasizes the action of the Holy Spirit and the meaning of prayer in Christ’s ministry. Jesus prays before the decisive moments of his mission: before his Father’s witness to him during his baptism and Transfiguration, and before his own fulfillment of the Father’s plan of love by his Passion. He also prays before the decisive moments involving the mission of his apostles: at his election and call of the Twelve, before Peter’s confession of him as “the Christ of God,” and again that the faith of the chief of the Apostles may not fail when tempted. Jesus’ prayer before the events of salvation that the Father has asked him to fulfill is a humble and trusting commitment of his human will to the loving will of the Father.” (CCC, 2600)

As a physician, St. Luke is the patron saint of the medical profession. He is also the patron of artists and painters, as tradition holds that he painted an icon of the Blessed Virgin Mary.

St. Luke is symbolized by the ox. The ox, recognized as the animal of sacrifice, was applied to St. Luke because his Gospel emphasizes the atonement made by Christ’s sacrifice of himself on the Cross.

The post St. Luke: Healer and Herald of Christ’s Merciful Love appeared first on Jean M. Heimann.