Saturday, October 17, 2009

A Feast for an Evangelist

Sunday is never trumped in the liturgical calendar. The Feast of the Evangelists is always special. Normally, we celebrate the Feast of St Luke on October 18th but this year it falls on a Sunday. Nonethless, it is quite worthy of mention.

St. Luke was a pagan who converted to the faith and responded to the preaching and teaching of St. Paul. From these teachings, St. Luke became the writer of one of the Gospels. He is also the writer of the Acts of the Apostles.

St. Luke points out that he was not an eyewitness to the events of Jesus' ministry. Some speculate that Luke may be a second or third generation Christian. Luke's Gospel seemed to be intended for Greek speaking non-Jewish converts further spreading the good news.

St. Luke's Gospel is well loved as it contains the most detail of the infancy narrative and has stong emphasis on the parables. It is in St. Luke's Gospel that we find the awesome canticles recited in the Divine Office everday; The Canticle of Zechariah, The Magnificat and the Canticle of Simeon.

In the Acts of the Apostles, St. Luke gives us a wonderful description of the early Church from Pentecost up to St. Paul's arrival in Rome. It is a must read for all Christians and one can easily see the earliest beginnings of Catholicism and the Liturgy of the Mass as well as the Sacraments.

So on Sunday we will hear about the 29th Sunday in Ordinary Time and World Mission Sunday but don't forget St. Luke. We can recite this prayer from his the Divine Office:

Father, you chose Luke the evangelist to reveal by preaching and writing the mystery of your love for the poor. Unite in heart and spirit all who glory in your name, and let all nations come to see your salvation. Amen.

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