The Story of Saint Luke - Weekday Homily Video

There is a legend which goes this way. A destitute woman, reeling from the loss of her husband and engulfed in relentless agony, received a tattered pamphlet from her neighbor. The neighbor had stumbled upon it lying on the street and, upon reading it, immediately thought of the sorrowful woman. The pamphlet contained a captivating story of a Man who offered solace to the afflicted. The grief-stricken woman read it and found her entire life transformed by its profound message! Astoundingly, the pamphlet turned out to be a copy of the Gospel of Saint Luke, which brought an overwhelming sense of peace and relief to the woman with its powerful themes of consolation and comfort. 

A Detailed Witness

As we celebrate Saint Luke's feast day today, we honor the author of the third Gospel. Much of this Gospel was based on Saint Paul's teachings and writings, Luke’s interviews with early Christians, and his own experiences. 

In addition to being one of the earliest converts, Luke means 'bringer of light'. His parents were pagan Greeks who lived in Antioch, Syria, and perhaps he was a slave. A Greek by birth and a physician by profession, he studied in Antioch and Tarsus. He probably travelled as a ship's doctor, and many charitable medical societies remember him. 

Even though he was not an eyewitness to Our Lord's life, the meticulous Evangelist diligently collected information from those who had followed or listened to Him. His command of Greek is much admired. He died A.D 74 in Greece. Some stories say he was martyred. 

Travels with Saint Paul

Legend has it that he was also a painter who may have created portraits of Jesus and Mary, but they have yet to be definitively attributed to him. St. Luke is known for his virtue of humility, which is evident in his writing of the Acts of the Apostles, which is a continuation of his Gospel account. This work brings the history of the Church up to Saint Paul's first imprisonment in Rome in the year 64. Despite never naming himself, Luke's presence in the scenes of Saint Paul's life is detectable through his occasional use of "we" instead of "he" or "they." 

It is believed that he sailed with Paul and Silas from Troas to Macedonia, where he stayed for about seven years in Philippi. After being close to Saint Paul during his imprisonment in Palestine, he accompanied him as a prisoner when he was taken to Rome. He experienced the shipwreck and dangers of that well-known voyage, as described in Chapter 27 of Acts. 

Another one is his willingness to be an instrument of the Lord in propagating His good news of the Kingdom of God. He grabbed the opportunity to become a missionary. This all began when he met Saint Paul in Troas and evangelized Greece and Rome with him. He was present for the shipwreck and other dangers during the voyage to Rome, and he stayed in Rome during Saint Paul's two years of imprisonment. 

Living Like Saint Luke

Like the seventy-two disciples in today’s gospel, Jesus is also calling us right now. remember, because we were baptized, we share in his missionary work. It is because during our baptism we received the three roles of being Christians: as a priest, prophet and servant-leader. We can become missionaries right wherever we are whether at home, in our work or in other places. 

• Today’s Readings

• Father Boby's inspirational homily was recorded live during Mass at the Father Peyton Center this morning. You can view the Mass (and the Rosary at the 30-minute mark) on the Family Rosary YouTube page. 

• To join the Rosary and Mass Livestream, visit the Family Rosary YouTube or Facebook page at 11:30 a.m. Eastern, Monday – Friday. Consider inviting others to join too! (*If you are not a member of Facebook and a signup window appears, simply select the X at the top of the pop-up message and continue to the livestream.)