The Feast of Saint Luke

2 Timothy 4:10-17b, Psalm 145:10-11, 12-13, 17-18, & Luke 10:1-9

Today the Church celebrates the feast of Saint Luke, one of the four Evangelists. Along with the Gospel of Luke, the writings from the Acts of the Apostles are also attributed to him, which is a continuation of how the Holy Spirit acted through the Apostles to build the early Church. Luke was thought to have been a Gentile writing to fellow Gentile Christians. It is believed that he traveled with Paul during parts of his second and third mission journeys and was with Paul during his first and second imprisonments.

In Luke's Gospel narrative, he emphasizes the call to poverty, prayer, and purity of heart by which God's salvation through Jesus extends to ALL humanity. His comparison about men within a story about women was designed to stress the ministry of the women who followed him. Jesus cared for the salvation of women as He does for men.

As noted in today's Gospel, the role of the disciple is the same for males or females. Jesus says, "Carry no money bag, no sack, no sandals; greet no one along the way," which were the first rules of Saint Francis of Assisi. Trust, not faith, allowed Saint Francis to abandon a hermit robe, sandals, and belt for an even simpler robe and only a rope as a belt, and no shoes. In so doing, St. Francis become dependent on other's charity as he lived this Gospel passage.

Friends, God provides all we need when we say 'Yes' to His will. We should not doubt His providence and grace. Luke and the other saints did, and we are asked to do the same. As it is written in Isaiah 58:11, "If God brings you to it – He will bring you through it."

Question of the Day: How will you respond to the call to poverty, prayer, and purity of heart?

Prayer: "The Lord sent out disciples to proclaim throughout the towns; The Kingdom of God is at hand for you." Luke 10:1 & 9

Prosit