Start of School Year 2015-2016 Mass

Reflection

St. Luke was a gentile who became a Christian. It is thought that he was a doctor and hence so many hospitals are called after him. He was a friend of St. Paul.
He wasn’t one of Jesus’ early disciples and it was, probably when he became a follower of ‘The Way’ that Luke drew together a picture of Jesus from those who did know Him and he wrote it all down after 70 AD. He wrote a Gospel – which told the story of Jesus up to the time of His Ascension and then the Acts of the Apostles, which told the story of the spread of the Good News from the Ascension of Jesus, dwelling specially with Peter and Paul.
Because of his background, you will notice certain emphases different than the other gospels. The Good News is for everyone and not for the people of Israel only. So, he tells the story of the good Samaritan. He also portrays women favourably in his Gospel. At that time, the gentile portrayal of women was more favourable than the Jewish portrayal. Jesus is presented as a friend of sinners. Think of the story of the prodigal son. Joy is a constant theme in his story. Luke also has strong words on wealth and presents a social Gospel.
Please God with the help of St. Luke we can come to know about Jesus and upon reflection and prayer come to know him too.