St. Luke the Evangelist or Gospel Writer amongst the four Evangelists whose feast we celebrate on 18th October is one such Gospel writer who wrote the Word of God as narrated by St. Paul. He also wrote the ‘Acts of the Apostles’.
Born in Antioch, St. Luke was a Syrian Doctor (renowned Medical Practitioner), very well learned and a Christian convert. He arrived in Rome and stayed for two years with Peter and Mark. St. Luke spent considerable time in Palestine working with the Apostles and thus gathering lots of material for his writing.
The Gospel of St. Luke narrates in detail the Birth, Ministry, Death and Resurrection of Jesus. The details and inscriptions of the events that took place in the life of Jesus Christ are well described by him.
The main theme of St. Luke’s writing is Prayer, the Holy Spirit & Mercy. It is said that he was a compassionate spiritual man. He armed his books to persuade Gentiles that Christ’s story was true. He made it more accessible to them by filling his Gospel with accounts of Christ’s Openness and Mercy.
The story of ‘Lazarus and the Rich Man’ is narrated by him.
St. Luke also writes about the birth of Christ from Mary’s point of view and she is given due importance by him in his Gospel.
It is only in the Gospel of Luke that we find the story of Mary’s Annunciation, her visit to Elizabeth, the Magnificat, and the Presentation of Our Lord. In this Gospel, we also learn about the words spoken by Angel Gabriel to Mary at the time of Annunciation, “Hail Mary, full of Grace”, and Elizabeth’s words to Mary, “Blessed are you and blessed is the Fruit of thy womb JESUS”.
Luke’s death was due to hanging in Greece where he preached tremendously to the lost souls and evangelized them to Christianity. He died in 84 AD.
Since he was a Medical Practitioner, he is venerated by all Physicians and Surgeons. He is the Patron Saint of DOCTORS. All Catholic Doctors have an association under his patronage and it is called ‘ST. LUKE’S MEDICAL GUILD’.
We have known ST. LUKE as one of the Gospel writers along with Mathew, Mark & John. However, this writer briefs us with the in-depth revelation of his time which was covered by him as was by the apostles all the time.
Rosarito Coelho
Ward 8