WHO REALLY IS ST. LUKE? St. Luke Biography About St. Luke the Evangelist Companion of St Paul St. Luke, the writer of the Gospel and the Acts of the Apostles, has been identified with St. Pauls Luke, the beloved physician (Colossians 4:14) Luke explains in the introduction to his gospel that his writings were inspired by close association with Paul and his companions. Luke joined Paul at Troas in the year of 51, accompanying him from Macedonia to Philippi. Luke remained with Paul to the end of his life, even during his imprisonment and sufferings, Only Luke is with me (2 Timothy 4:11). Saint Luke was born a Greek and a Gentile in Antioch, Syria. He was a physician and it is believed that he may have also been a slave, as it was not uncommon in his day for slaves to be educated in medicine so the family would have a resident physician. Luke became a close companion of Paul of Tarsus and accompanied him on his missionary journeys. It is very possible that Luke provided medical assistance to Paul when he had been beaten, stoned or nearly drowned while evangelizing to the Western Roman Empire. Luke is the only Gentile to have written books in the Bible. He is the writer of the third Gospel and the Acts of the Apostles and his writings have been proven to be historically accurate. In the third Gospel, Luke emphasizes Christs compassion for sinners and for those who suffer. One will also find in Lukes account of the gospel, a strong emphasis on the role women played in Christs ministry. Lukes Christian ministry can be followed in the book of Acts. Up until the sixteenth chapter the story of Acts is written in third person, much like an historian recording facts. The voice of the narrator then changes to first person and scholars believe this is done at the time Luke first joined Paul at Troas in the year 51. The book of Acts switches back to third person and scholars believe that this reflects a period in time when Luke was not present during the events that are recorded. It is believed that Luke lived a long life and died c. 74 in Greece. He was the first Christian physician and was venerated by the Catholic Church as the patron saint of physicians and surgeons. Saint Luke is also considered the patron saint of painters because according to tradition, he had painted images of Mary and of Jesus. This was later proven to be incorrect. Saint Lukes feast day is celebrated on October 18th. 15th Century illuminated manuscript from The Bedford Hours. Life of Saint Luke The gospel of Luke focuses on on the poor and oppressed, encouraging tenderness and compassion for the less fortunate. The story of Lazarus and the Rich Man who ignored him is told in Lukes gospel, as is the parable of the Good Samaritan. The Gospel of Luke stresses the importance of evangelizing to the Gentiles In the Gospel of Luke we hear Jesus praising the faith of Gentiles such as the widow of Zarephath and Naaman the Syrian (Lk.4:25-27), and we hear the story of the one grateful leper who is a Samaritan (Lk.17:11-19). and it is only in the gospel of Luke that the beatitude is used blessed of the poor instead of Blessed are the poor in spirit The life of St Luke & Death It is unclear if Luke preached in Greece or in Gaul and there is also uncertainty surrounding his death. Though some historians claim that St. Luke was martyred after the death of Saint Paul, others say he lived a long life, dying at the age of 84 after settling in Greece to write his gospel. Saint Luke, 1360–64 Attributed to Master Theodoric Prague Saint Lukes Life Unlike the Jewish writings, women have an important place in Lukes gospel. Luke writes about the women who accompanied Jesus, such as Mary Magdalene, Joanna, Susanna, and Martha and Mary and many other women who used their own resources to help Jesus and his disciples (8:1). Luke also writes about the birth of Christ from Marys point of view and she is especially important in Lukes gospel. It is only in the gospel of Luke, that the story of Marys Annunciation, her visit to Elizabeth, the Magnificat, the Presentation and Jesus remaining in Jerusalem are told. In Lukes gospel, we learn the words spoken by the angel to Mary at the Annunciation, Hail Mary, full of grace and Elizabeths words to Mary, Blessed are you and blessed is the fruit of your womb, Jesus. The stained glass window, above, is at St. Johns Episcopal Church in Stamford, Connecticut. In this window, St. Luke is shown holding a book which represents his Gospel. In his other hand he holds a plant, representing healing herbs. St. Lukes Life Luke was a gentile and according to St. Paul, a doctor (Luke, our dear doctor. Colossians 4:14). Luke wrote the book to Theophilus, who was believed to be a high official in the Roman government. The Acts of the Apostles was also written to Theophilus (see Luke 1:3 and Acts 1:1) and that is why many scholars believe both books (Luke and Acts) were written by Luke. St Luke is the patron saint of: artists bachelors bookbinders brewers butchers Capena, Italy doctors glass makers glassworkers gold workers goldsmiths Hermersdorf, Germany lacemakers lace workers notaries painters physicians sculptors stained glass workers surgeons unmarried men Reference to; st-luke-medal Edited by; Udeme E. Udofia HAPPY FEAST DAY CELEBRATION!!!
Posted on: Sat, 18 Oct 2014 12:28:18 +0000
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