Today, we celebrate the Feast of St. Luke, the beloved physician, companion of St. Paul, and the author of both the Gospel of Luke and the Acts of the Apostles. St. Luke's writings are marked by a profound compassion for the poor, the outcast, and those on the margins of society. He reveals a Christ who brings healing, hope, and salvation to all, especially those most in need.
In the Gospel for today, Luke 10:1-9, we hear about Jesus sending out 72 disciples to proclaim the kingdom of God. He instructs them to go ahead of Him, like labourers into a plentiful harvest, but also warns them that they will face dangers, like lambs among wolves. Yet, despite the challenges, Jesus emphasizes the urgency of their mission: to heal the sick and to declare, "The kingdom of God has come near to you."
This passage reminds us of our call as Christians to be witnesses of Christ's love in the world. Like the disciples, we are sent out into a world full of challenges, but our mission is the same—to bring God's healing, peace, and salvation to others. Just as St. Luke, through his writings, shared the Good News, we too are invited to share the love of Christ in our words and actions.
Jesus tells His disciples to travel light, to rely on God's providence, and to focus on their mission of proclaiming the Kingdom. This calls us to trust in God and let go of anything that holds us back from fully living our faith.
As we honour St. Luke today, let us be inspired by his example of faithful discipleship and his compassion for the suffering. May we, too, go out as labourers in the Lord's harvest, bringing healing, hope, and the message of God's love to those we meet. And let us always remember that, like those early disciples, we are never alone—Christ is with us in our mission, guiding us every step of the way.
St. Luke is traditionally believed to have been a physician. This is based on several early Christian sources, including St. Paul, who refers to Luke as "the beloved physician" in Colossians 4:14. Luke’s background as a physician is reflected in the attention to detail in his Gospel, especially in how he describes healing miracles and the human condition with compassion and precision.
In addition to being a physician, Luke was also a companion of St. Paul and an evangelist, writing both the Gospel of Luke and the Acts of the Apostles. His writings focus on themes of mercy, healing, and care for the marginalized, which further emphasizes his identity as someone who was deeply concerned with both the physical and spiritual well-being of people.