Feast of St. Luke, Oct. 18,2006

Scripture: II Timothy 4:9-17. Psalm 145:10-13,17-18. Luke 10:1-9

Some Scripture scholars say that Luke is the major contributor to the New Testament. I think they mean this by volume and depending upon how many of the epistles were actually written by Paul this may be true. Luke has 52 chapters for us through his Gospel (24 chapters) and his Acts of the Apostles (28 chapters). Our readings for the liturgy do center on the person of Luke. Our first reading from II Timothy 4:11 gives us his name as a friend and companion of Paul during his imprisonment. In Philemon, Luke is called a fellow worker with Paul; in Colossians, he is called the "beloved physician." In the so called "We sections" of the Acts which consists of many of the journeys of Paul, he is considered to be a travel companion with Paul. These references made me think of the purpose of today's Gospel selection from Luke which is the sending of seventy-two on mission. They are sent two by two. Some manuscipts read the number seventy for the disciples who are sent on mission. One could easily make some sense out of these numbers, but it would largely be the work of our imaginations. I see the great number as indicative of the universalism of Luke who will extend the meaning of the word apostle to those who continue the work of Jesus in the Church. " What Jesus said in commissioning the Twelve was later applied in the early Church to larger missionary bands; and so Luke records it." (Stuhlmueller, in the Jerome Biblical Commentary, p. 143). Notice also that Luke uses the honorific title of Lord for Jesus, thus showing us that he is writing this in the light of his own Lucan resurrection faith.

We remember that the presence of the kingdom is brought near to us through Luke's Gospel almost like John does with his "realized eschatology." It is brought nearer by these missionary apostles who extend the message and events of Jesus to everyone. They are not to be encumbered by heavy luggage as they move from city to city; nor are they bound by rituals about food. They are to bring a message of peace which is associated with the salvation Jesus brings to people. "Peace has the power of begetting tranquility in others." (Stuhlmueller, p.143).

I, as a Marianist, was led to think of Luke's focus upon the Mother of Jesus in chapters 1 and 2 where she starts her own journey of bringing Jesus to others. She will fulfill all the criteria demanded of a disciple. Luke paints a rather complete portrait of Mary when compared with the other evangelists. He has her speaking and dialoguing, praying, reflecting on the words and events of her life, and then singing her great song of liberation, the Magnificat (Luke 1:46-56). Luke shows us the presence of the Holy Spirit in her and in the new Church and he is the Evangelist of prayer, love for the poor, and compassion for the marginal. I am led to thank God for this gifted person and evangelist named Luke.

This Responsorial for Luke is an appropriate praise of Luke: "He carefully traced the whole story from the beginning and wrote his Gospel so that we might understand the truth of the teaching we had received. He gave us a record concerning all that Jesus did and taught so that we might understand the truth." (found in the Office of the Readings as a Responsorial for this Feast). This is a very fine paraphrase of Luke's magnificent introduction to his Gospel in Luke 1:1-4. Let us celebrate this Feast with joy, peace, and love. Amen.

Twenty-eigth Week in Ordinary Time, Thursday, October 19, 2006 Scripture: Ephesians 1:3-10. Psalm 98:1-6. Luke 11:47-54.

The selection for our new epistle in the liturgical readings is frequently used as a hymn in the Evening Prayer of the Church. It is a magnificent affirmation of who we are called to be as sons and daughters of God. We are redeemed through the love and sacrifice of Christ on the Cross and our predestined union with God is already seen in the pre-esxitence of the mind of God for all of us. So this hymn reaches even into the eternity of God by telling us that we have been predestined for our life with God as sons and daughters. There is no negative connotation about this type of predestination found in the Scriptures. This made me think of the sacraments of Baptism and Confirmation and my need to return to what they signify and effect. They are commitments and consecratory acts for us to live as Jesus would have us live. To realize this we need to renew our love of God each day and make it the top priority as we relate to others in charity and justice.

The Psalm for today extends God's salvation to all nations, peoples, and races. The second stanza is what confirms this thought: "The Lord has made his salvation known; in the sight of the nations he has revealed his justice. He has remembered his kindness and faithfulness toward the house of Israel." Praised be God! Amen.