The Feast of St. Luke

When the days drew near for him to be taken up, he set his face to go to Jerusalem. And he sent messengers ahead of him. On their way they entered a village of the Samaritans to make ready for him; but they did not receive him, because his face was set towards Jerusalem. When his disciples James and John saw it, they said, ‘Lord, do you want us to command fire to come down from heaven and consume them?’ But he turned and rebuked them. Then they went on to another village. As they were going along the road, someone said to him, ‘I will follow you wherever you go.’ And Jesus said to him, ‘Foxes have holes, and birds of the air have nests; but the Son of Man has nowhere to lay his head.’ To another he said, ‘Follow me.’ But he said, ‘Lord, first let me go and bury my father.’ But Jesus said to him, ‘Let the dead bury their own dead; but as for you, go and proclaim the kingdom of God.’ Another said, ‘I will follow you, Lord; but let me first say farewell to those at my home.’ Jesus said to him, ‘No one who puts a hand to the plough and looks back is fit for the kingdom of God.’ Luke 9:51-62

I have always liked the Gospel of Luke best, and although not one of the original disciples, the beauty and clarity of his storytelling is extraordinary. Although John's Gospel is often described as poetic, Luke gives us gorgeous pictures of astonishing events, which touches my poet's heart. The Acts is also attributed to Luke, and he sketches the early days of the church like none other. What a gift to have someone tell a story that makes it so real and approachable! May we tell our story of God's love in our lives with the same compassion that Luke gave it, full of signs and beauty, directing us to the heart of God.

Loving Creator, you fashioned the whole vast universe

planting us in the midst of your overwhelming creation

while never taking your eyes of the needs of the least.

We flounder at times trying to make sense of our lives

pulled in so many ways we feel like giving up completely

feeling so lost and alone in the vast silence in dark times.

You, O Lord, have promised to be with us in all our trials

in every chapter and every season, you offer hope and healing

so that we too can share the story of your love with our world. Amen.