St. Luke, Evangelist, Friday – 18th October 2024 – 2 Timothy 4,10-17; Lk 10,1-9
Good News of Merciful Salvation
Luke was a close companion and collaborator of Paul. He was a medical doctor by profession (Col 4,14). He joined with Paul in his second missionary journey (Acts 16,10). He stayed in Philippi for sometime to evangelize (Acts 16,12) but later sailed with Paul from Philippi to Troas and went with him to Jerusalem (Acts 20,6). Luke sailed with Paul to Rome (Acts 27,1) and stayed with him until his imprisonment (2 Tim 4,11). Luke wrote a Gospel in his name and then a second volume, known as the Acts of the Apostles, to complete his Gospel. In the Acts, Luke shows how the apostles are commissioned by Christ and empowered by the Holy Spirit to extend the Kingdom to the ends of the earth.
In the Gospel, Luke shows how Jesus, the royal Son of David and Son of God, brings God’s merciful salvation to all humanity. First, Luke shows how Jesus is the Saviour of Israel and restores Israel and reunites the scattered tribes of Israel into his kingdom (Luke 1,33. 68; 22,28-30). Luke is very attentive to show how Jesus saves the Samaritans, the descendants of northern Israelites. Second, Luke narrates how Jesus extends God’s forgiveness and salvation to the Gentiles (Luke 2,32; 24,47). Third, Luke focuses especially on the salvation of the lowly, the outcasts, the poor, oppressed, the women and the widows.
