St. Luke

Taylor Caldwell's novel, Dear and Glorious Physician, (which I highly recommend), not only gives us a fascinating recreation of the  life of St. Luke, but also a title which sums up his gifts: truly a physician of body and of soul.  A Gentile, a doctor, an artist, talented writer, he traveled as a dear friend of St. Paul after becoming a believer and has left us a priceless legacy in his Gospel and Acts of the Apostles.  To him do we owe the magnificent parallel Annunciation stories, and the Canticles of Zechariah and Mary prayed each day in the Divine Office, found  in the first chapter of his Gospel.  In chapter two, we have the beloved and detailed description of the birth of Jesus, his presentation in the temple his teaching among the rabbis at the age of twelve and his withdrawl to his hidden life in Nazareth.  The Jesus presented by Luke is a man with a mission...setting his face like flint toward Jerusalem to accomplish the will of his Father, as well as a man of compassion, gentleness, and tenderness as seen in his concern for healings, forgiveness, and love of the poor.  Luke gives us the most details about Mary we have among the four Gospels,  as well as the names of the many women who were part of the early community and who ministered to him and the Twelve. We would have little idea of the spread of the Church under the direction of the Holy Spirit, were it not for the extensive narratives in the Acts.  Our spiritual lives are so much richer because of this man.  Isaiah wrote, "How beautiful upon the mountains/ are the feet of him who brings glad tidings,/ announcing peace, bearing good news,' announcing salvation." (Is 52:7)  We are all called to this, but certainly, Luke shines as one who fullfilled this description to its fullest.  St. Luke, help us to live what you taught.
Bro. Rene