TO ALL THOSE WHO LOVE GOD

I have always loved the Gospel of St. Luke. Admittedly, it may be due to the fact that I was baptized on his Feast Day, but that certainly isn’t the main reason. Looking at the other Gospels; those of Sts. Matthew, Mark, and John, we see they all had intended audiences. Matthew wrote to Jewish Christians who were familiar with Jewish culture, history, and prophecy. Mark wrote his Gospel for Gentile converts, specifically the Romans. John writes his Gospel to Jewish Christians in a state of increasing tension with the Jewish synagogues. By being more theological, perhaps John is trying to get the people to raise their eyes and hearts to things of Heaven and not focus on their squabbles of earth.

Luke offers his Gospel and the Acts of the Apostles to the mysterious Theophilos. Who is this man? We find no clear answer. Perhaps the answer is in the name. Theophilos; Theo-philos; Theo (God) philos (Love); the Lover of God. Could it be that St. Luke offers his works to all of us who love God?

Luke is unique among the Gospel writers in that he is the only Greek among them. Born in Antioch, Luke was very well-educated in philosophy, art, and especially, medicine. In Luke’s Gospel, we hear stories that we don’t find in the other three, often having to do with healing. We hear the story of the Prodigal Son, in which the healing of a relationship between father and son takes place. We hear about the woman who had been diseased for 18 years being healed; certainly, a prime example of bodily healing. We remember the story of the disciples on the road to Emmaus. Their lack of spiritual sight was healed during their conversation with the risen Christ. Most profoundly, Luke offers to us the account of the Annunciation and the infancy narrative of Christ.

Yes, the healing of human relationships, bodily injuries and diseases, and spiritual deficits are important and causes for faith. However, how does that compare to the healing of our relationship with our Father in Heaven? In the recounting of the Annunciation of the Angel Gabriel to Mary, we see the beginning of our redemption at work. One can easily imagine the silence in Heaven after Gabriel informs Mary of the special place she holds: “Hail, favored one! The Lord is with you…Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God…The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you. Therefore, the child to be born with be called holy, the Son of God.” Gabriel, and all of Heaven wait for her answer. We know that Mary pondered what kind of greeting this might be, and she also would have been aware of the Jewish prophecies concerning the Messiah; especially being born of a virgin. What joy and exaltation all of creation must have experienced when she finally says, “I am the handmaid of the Lord. Let it be done unto me according to your word.” The plan of our redemption is underway! By including the story of the Annunciation, Luke is letting all those who love God know that their time of healing has finally come.

~Grant O’Neil, Director of Lifelong Discipleship & Outreach