18 October 2022 Saint Luke, Evangelist
Demas, in love with this present world, has deserted me and gone to Thessalonica; Crescens has gone to Galatia, Titus to Dalmatia. Only Luke is with me.
From 2 Timothy 4:10-17, NRSV
Today we celebrate the Feast of Saint Luke – the author of the Gospel carrying his name and also widely considered as the author of the Acts of the Apostles. These two works combined represent about one quarter of the text of the New Testament – far more than any other author. Paul was not himself an eye witness to the ministry of Jesus but was a disciple of Paul. In today’s first reading, we hear Paul writing towards the end of his life and we get an insight into the trials he has had to endure and his sense of loneliness at times of difficulty. However, we also hear about the loyalty of Luke who alone has stayed with Paul at this time and helped him in his work.
- Why do you think that Luke may have stayed with Paul when others did not?
- How might you be called to show loyalty to others?
Saint Luke is named as patron of many causes including: artists, physicians, surgeons and students. You may like to pray for anyone you know who belongs to one of these groups.
Image – Saint Luke the Evangelist – c.1400 – by Andrei Rublev
