Saint Luke - October 18

Saint Luke
October 18
Patron of physicians and surgeons

“Since many have undertaken to compile a narrative of the events that have been fulfilled among us, just as those who were eyewitnesses from the beginning and ministers of the word have handed them down to us, I too have decided, after investigating everything accurately anew, to write it down in an orderly sequence for you, most excellent Theophilus, so that you  may realize the certainty of the teachings you have received.”  (Luke 1:1-4)

The Gospel of Luke and the Acts of the Apostles are attributed to today’s saint, Luke, a second or third generation Christian who in the literary prologue of his gospel acknowledges his debt to earlier eyewitnesses and ministers of the word.  

Luke was born of a pagan family.  We know nothing of his conversion, but he did join Saint Paul who described Saint Luke as “the beloved physician” one of his co-workers not “of the circumcision” (not a Jew) in Colossians 4:10-14. 

One might assume that since Luke was a doctor he was from a rich family, but scholars believe that Luke might have been a slave educated in medicine to be a resident family physician.  In any case, after his conversion, Luke was drawn to share the gospel with the Gentiles.

The Great Physician used the Beloved Physician to present His Gospel in an “orderly sequence for” us, Theophilus, (literally, “friend of God”) so that ourselves and other readers “may have certainty concerning the things you [we] have been taught.” 

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Art
Saint Luke - El Greco
Saint Luke - James Tissot
Saint Luke Displaying a Painting of Mary - Guercino