Tess Koning, member of our Parish Pastoral Council and Principal of St Peter’s Primary School, presents our Gospel Reflections this week and today reads from the Gospel of Luke (10: 1-9) in which Jesus sent 72 disciples out on mission, saying, ‘Whatever house you go into, let your first words be, “Peace to this house!” And if a man of peace lives there, your peace will go and rest on him; if not, it will come back to you’. Afterwards, Tess shares a little about St Luke, the Evangelist whose feast we celebrate today.

Tess says, St Luke is a significant Saint for us as the writer of the Gospel and the acts of the Apostles.

Luke was born in Antioch in Syria, and it is believed he was a Greek and a Gentile.

In the Acts of the Apostles, Luke’s Christian ministry is made known, with much time spent with Paul. He was a loyal companion of Paul, even staying with him during his final imprisonment and sufferings, when all others deserted him. He died at 84 after settling in Greece to write his Gospel.

Reading Luke’s gospel gives a good idea of his character as one who loved the poor, who wanted the door to God’s kingdom opened to all, who respected women, and who saw hope in God’s mercy for everyone.

Luke is often shown with an ox or a calf because these are the symbols of sacrifice – the sacrifice Jesus made for all the world. He is the patron of physicians and surgeons.

In the Gospel today, the mission Jesus gives to the number of seventy-two, represents all the nations of the world. Luke outlines two important aspects of this work:

●   “Start off now” – Jesus gives them a sense of urgency to preach the kingdom; with haste and single mindedness, not being fussy about the food and shelter on the way and making it real through healing and blessing.

●   “I am sending you out like lambs among wolves” – Jesus warns them they will be met with hostility with persecutions already having begun.

As we are challenged in preaching the kingdom, Tess invites us to ask, ‘St Luke to pray for us!’.