St. Luke the Evangelist

Today the Church honors the life and ministry of St. Luke the Evangelist who wrote 2 books in the New Testament, the Gospel according to Luke and perhaps the first sequel in history, the Acts of the Apostles. 

James Kiefer notes that: “Almost all that we know about Luke comes from the New Testament. He was a physician (Col. 4:14), a companion of Paul on some of his missionary journeys (Acts 16:10ff; 20:5ff; 27-28). Material found in his Gospel and not elsewhere includes much of the account of Our Lord’s birth and infancy and boyhood, some of the most moving parables, such as that of the Good Samaritan and that of the Prodigal Son, and three of the sayings of Christ on the Cross: ‘Father, forgive them,’ ‘Thou shalt be with me in Paradise,’ and ‘Father, into thy hands I commend my spirit.’”

During Jesus’ day, women, children and the poor were looked upon as second class citizens.  Luke’s Gospel elevates those whom the world considered not.  For example, in the birth narratives, Zachariah is struck speechless while his wife Elizabeth has voice.  Subsequently, the Angel Gabriel comes to deliver the news to Mary, and he greets her: “Hail Mary, you are full of grace, and the Lord is with you.  You are blessed among women.”   When Mary goes to see her cousin, Elizabeth, she prays her glorious prayer, the Magnificat: “My soul proclaims the greatness of the Lord, and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior, for He has looked with favor upon His lowly servant.  From this day all generations will call me blessed: the Almighty has done great things for me and holy is His name.   He has mercy on those who fear him in every generation. He has shown the strength of his arm, he has scattered the proud in their conceit.  He has cast down the mighty from their thrones, and has lifted up the lowly. He has filled the hungry with good things, and the rich he has sent away empty. He has come to the help of his servant Israel, for he has remembered his promise of mercy, the promise he made to our fathers, to Abraham and his children for ever.” When the Savior is born, the choir of angels brings the good news to the poor shepherds who were tending their flocks in the field.  In Luke’s gospel, the world is turned upside down.  The Good News of Jesus that we read about in Luke’s Gospel was, and is, good news indeed: God loves those whom the world may consider unlovable.

Let us pray:  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.  Amen. 

CALENDAR REMINDERS

Today, Thursday, the Seaside Seniors will gather in Sutton Hall for lunch and fun! Red beans and rice is on the menu. If you know of someone who would like to attend, please let them know.

The Cathedral of Faith, Market Street Baptist Church on 2901 Market Street, is celebrating its 39^thanniversary on Sunday, 21 October at 3 p.m. The guest preacher will be Pastor E.R. Johnson of the Avenue L Missionary Baptist Church. The theme is “Committed to Kingdom Building” Romans 12:1. You may recall that after Hurricane Ike, Market Street Baptist Church used our sanctuary as theirs was destroyed.

"Lord, Teach Us to Pray" continues with the Bains on Sunday at 11 a.m. This is a wonderful study!

The Ladies from the Diocese of Southern Malawi are being hosted by the Taylors and St. Augustine’s is hosting a pot luck dinner for them during their visit to the Island. If you haven’t signed up to bring a dish, please do this Sunday since the dinner will be next Thursday. They will discuss with us their work in the literacy field.

Please remember everyone on our Prayer List, especially Steve Poirier, Rose Daniels, Patricia Florence and Gladys Simon.

Your servant in Christ,

Fr. Chester J. Makowski+

St. Augustine of Hippo Episcopal Church
Galveston, Texas 77550