Saint Luke, Evangelist

Wednesday, October 18, 2023

Saint Luke is the only Gentile Christian among the Gospel writers, and he was writing for Gentile Christians. According to tradition, he is a native of Antioch, and Saint Paul calls him “our beloved physician.” Luke’s Gospel, two-volumes that comprise the third Gospel and Acts of the Apostles, likely was written between 70 and 85 A.D., and it illustrates the parallel between the life of Christ and that of the Church. Luke appears in Acts during Paul’s second journey. Luke remains at Philippi for several years until Paul returns from his third journey; Luke then accompanies Paul to Jerusalem and remains near him when Paul is imprisoned in Caesarea.

Luke’s Gospel has been given a number of subtitles, including The Gospel of Mercy, The Gospel of Universal Salvation, The Gospel of the Poor, The Gospel of Absolute Renunciation, The Gospel of Prayer and the Holy Spirit, and The Gospel of Joy.