October 18 + Saint Luke

Luke is identified by early tradition as the author of the third Gospel and as the author of the book of Acts. He wrote more of the New Testament than any other author — Luke and Acts together total almost 38,000 words or 24% of the New Testament.

Luke's unique perspective on Jesus can be seen in the six miracles and eighteen parables not found in the other gospels. Luke's is the gospel of the poor and of social justice. He is the one who tells the story of Lazarus and the Rich Man who ignored him.

Luke also had a special connection with the women in Jesus' life, especially the Blessed Virgin Mary. It is only in Luke's gospel that we hear the story of the Annunciation, Mary's visit to Elizabeth including the Magnificat, the Presentation, and the story of Jesus' disappearance in Jerusalem. It is Luke that we have to thank for the Scriptural parts of the Hail Mary: "Hail Mary full of grace" spoken at the Annunciation and "Blessed are you and blessed is the fruit of your womb Jesus" spoken by her cousin Elizabeth.

Tradition holds that Luke's painting of Our Lady and the Christ Child (known as Our Lady of Czestochowa or The Black Madonna) was painted on a table top from a table built by either Jesus or Saint Joseph. It was while Luke was painting Mary that she told him about the events in the life of Jesus that he eventually used in his Gospel.

Forgiveness and God's mercy to sinners is also of first importance to Luke. Only in Luke do we hear the story of the Prodigal Son welcomed back by the overjoyed father. Only in Luke do we hear the story of the forgiven woman disrupting the feast by washing Jesus' feet with her tears and hair. Throughout Luke's gospel, Jesus takes the side of the sinner who wants to return to God's mercy.

Reading Luke's gospel gives a good idea of his character as one who loved the poor, who wanted the door to God's kingdom opened to all, who respected women, and who saw hope in God's mercy for everyone. He is the Patron Saint of artists, physicians, surgeons and farmers.