Trick or Treat! It’s that time of year again where we dress up for fun and get free candy! In case you didn’t know, the word Halloween comes from the Old English phrase All Hallows Eve which was the day before All Saints Day on November 1st. Back then All Hallows Eve was important because people would reflect on the fact that the world is full of temptations and death comes for all of us. In contrast, the next day is All Saints Day which reminds us that Jesus died to give us hope and the gift of eternal life. The writings of St. Luke the Evangelist helped to document how Jesus was the fulfillment of God’s promise in the Old Testament to send a Savior for mankind. We may know Luke as a physician, but he was also a great historian.
Not much is known about his early life, but Luke was believed to be born as a Greek Gentile (non-Jew) who lived in Antioch (present-day Syria). He is first mentioned in St. Paul’s letters as one of his missionary companions and he would accompany Paul for many of his travels. We know that Luke was a physician because he used very technical and descriptive medical terms to describe the types of afflictions that Jesus encountered during his ministry. Since Paul was caught and beaten several times, Luke’s knowledge came in handy in keeping Paul alive. In fact, he remained with Paul during his final imprisonment when everyone else deserted him.
Luke is often represented by an ox because his Gospel focuses on the sacrificial nature of Christ’s life. Oxen were not commonly used, but they were considered one of the most prized sacrificial animals because of their size and strength. Sacrificing oxen was common in Judaism and Roman paganism which makes sense that it is Luke’s symbol because his writings were written in a way for Gentiles (non-Jews) to understand. In fact, his writings are so detailed that he is regarded by historians as highly accurate. He not only authored a Gospel, but he also wrote the Acts of the Apostles making his writings the longest in the New Testament.
Each of the Gospel writers had a different focus. Luke focused on how Jesus’ saving grace is for all people including the poor and those neglected by their communities. It includes six miracles and eighteen parables not found in the other Gospels including the story of the Good Samaritan, the grateful leper, Lazarus and the Rich man, the Prodigal Son, and even the Annunciation. This means without Luke’s account; we would not have the scriptural passages for the Hail Mary prayer! It is important to note that Luke includes these stories in his writings not just for us to feel sorry for them. He always ties it back to God's mercy and grace to give us hope to persevere. Suffering is no longer just senseless pain, but it has a purpose: to open our hearts and draw us closer to Jesus Christ, the source of our comfort and joy. Luke was written to have died at the age of 84 in Greece. He is the patron saint of artists, physicians, surgeons, and students. His feast day is October 18.
Here is a good prayer for those undergoing surgery:
Most charming and saintly physician, thou wert animated by the heavenly Spirit of Love. In faithfully detailing of the humanity of Jesus, thou also showed His Divinity and His genuine compassion for all human beings. Inspire our physicians with thine professionalism and with the divine compassion for their patients. Enable them to cure the ills of both body and spirit that afflict so many in our day.
Amen.
Be awesome and blossom 🌱
By: anh Daniel
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