St. Luke, the Evangelist & Historian

"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: 3-4)

Today, we celebrate the feast of St. Luke who provides us with the beautiful Nativity story and wrote the longest Gospel. Luke is also the writer of the Acts of the Apostles. "Luke appears in Acts during Paul’s second journey, remains at Philippi for several years until Paul returns from his third journey, accompanies Paul to Jerusalem and remains near him when he is imprisoned in Caesarea. During these two years, Luke had time to seek information and interview persons who had known Jesus. He accompanied Paul on the dangerous journey to Rome where he was a faithful companion. "Only Luke is with me," Paul writes (2 Timothy 4:11). (American Catholic)

He is sometimes referred to as the “historian” among the evangelists. While he does make historical references to Roman Emperors and Jewish Kings, some of his details are vague and not always accurate.

Luke’s intent in presenting an orderly narrative is to show God working to move human history through the various periods of salvation. Part of Luke’s message is that the good news of Jesus is meant for all people.

Christologically, Jesus is a great prophet; Lord of all nations, Savior of the poor. Jesus heals the sick & impaired people; forgiving sinners and debtors. You will be judged on how you use your wealth and possessions (many parables on the rich & poor).

Legend attributes the creation of the famous Our Lady of Czestochowa (also known as the Black Madonna) to St. Luke, the evangelist. It has been said that St. Luke "painted a portrait of the Virgin on the cedar wood table at which she had taken her meals." St. Helena, the Queen-Mother of Emperor Constantine is said to have located the portrait during her visit to the Holy Land and to have brought it to Constantinople in the fourth century. After remaining there for five centuries, it allegedly was transferred in royal dowries until it made its way to Poland.