The Proper of the Day: St. Luke the Evangelist

Today the Church celebrates the Major Feast of St. Luke the Evangelist. He is credited with writing the third of the four Gospels and also with the Acts of the Apostles. He may have been one of St. Paul's companions as well, as part of Acts is written in the first person ("We went.." rather than "They went"). St. Luke is also the Patron of Physicians, since the tradition is that was a physician or healer himself.

I was struck by the first lesson at Morning Prayer today. It's from the prophet Ezekiel, and narrates the stream of the water of life that will flow from the Temple and give life. an abundance of trees will grow on the bacnks of this nourishing river, and the leaves of the trees "will be for healing." The imagaery of the New Garden of Eden, the reversal of that which was lost, was profound.

Almighty God, who inspired your servant Luke the physician to declare in the Gospel the love and healing power of your Son: Graciously continue in your Church the same love and power to heal, to the praise and glory of your Name; through your Son Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever.

RFSJ