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Wednesday, 01 December 2021 14:00

Advent 2021 and the Gospel of Luke

 

Advent GospelOfLUkeThe mysterious Theophilus (‘friend of God’ or ‘loving’ or ‘loved by God’ Lk 1:3, Acts 1:1) is named as the recipient of a two-volume work by the same author; the Gospel of Luke and the Acts of the Apostles. Luke was a well-educated, Greek-speaking gentile (non-Jew) physician (Col 4:14) who travelled and ministered with Paul. The Gospel was written around 70-80 CE for a mainly gentile audience, perhaps in Syrian Antioch, which may have been the author’s home town. He writes skilfully in Greek and explains Jewish terms for his readers. Luke’s sources include the Gospel of Mark, his own research, and sayings of Jesus drawn from a collection, we name ‘Q’ (for German ‘Quelle’, meaning ‘source’). Luke’s stories show that he was a keen and insightful observer of human behaviour. Luke has carefully planned his story of Jesus:

 

THE WAY LUKE TELLS HIS STORY 

• Prologue 1:1-4
• Infancy Narrative 1:5-2:52
• Preparation for Public Ministry 3:1-3:13
• Galilean Ministry 3:14-9:50
• Journey to Jerusalem 9:51-19:27
• Jerusalem Ministry 19:28-21:38
• Passion Narrative 22:1-23:56
• Resurrection Narrative 24:1-53

After the stories of Jesus’ birth and childhood, the Gospel is structured as a journey to Jerusalem, the place of his passion, death and resurrection. The geographical journey parallels Jesus’ life journey. Then, on the Emmaus Road, after the resurrection, the disciples recognize that it is the Risen Jesus who is now journeying with them. The Acts of the Apostles, the author’s second volume, goes on to relate the mission of Jesus’ disciples to go out to ‘all nations beginning with Jerusalem’ (Lk 24:48; Acts 1:8).

IMPORTANT THEMES

Beginning with the shepherds of the Infancy Narrative, and all people of good will (Lk 1:8-18), Luke tells us that Jesus is for everyone, especially the poor and lowly. He begins his public ministry (Luke 4:18) with an announcement that he is the one who fulfils the prophecies of Isaiah (Is 61:1-2).

The Spirit of the Lord is upon me …

The story of the Rich Man and Lazarus is exclusive to the Gospel of Luke (Lk 16:19-31) and his hearers are meant to be challenged by the fates of these characters. Jesus heals many and spends time with the poor and outcast, especially those regarded as sinners. He cares about and notices the people who are marginalized, e.g., Samaritans (Lk 9:51-56). The universality of Jesus’ message is emphasised (e.g., Jesus’ genealogy back to Adam, emphasises one family with one saviour). Jesus does not give a sermon on a mount (as in Matthew), but on a plain, or level ground, accessible to all (Lk 6:17).

There are stories of joy, mercy, forgiveness, compassion (e.g., the lost sheep, lost coin, lost son in chapter 15, sinful woman 7:36-58, Zacchaeus 19:1-10): Jesus reminds his followers to ‘Be compassionate” as your heavenly father (6:36). He dies with words of forgiveness (Lk 23:34).

The presence of the Holy Spirit and the importance of prayer are threaded through the entire Gospel. The unborn John the Baptist is “filled with the Holy Spirit” (1:15). The Holy Spirit is always present (Lk 1:35, 41, 67, 80; 2:25,26,27; 4:1,1,14,18; 10:21). Jesus prays, at his baptism (Lk 3:21), before choosing the twelve (Lk 6:12), before teaching ‘Our Father’ (11:1) and he insists disciples must be people of prayer (Lk 6:28; 10:2; 11:1-13; 18:1-8; 21:36).

Meals are especially important in this Gospel, and everyone is invited. Jesus’ words at his Last Supper are well known to us: “This is my body which is given for you … This cup that is poured out for you is the new covenant in my blood” (Lk 22:19-21). Women have important roles in this Gospel: Jesus’ mother, Mary, is a woman of faith who sings of God’s justice and mercy, and ponders what God has done (Lk 1:46-56 and 2:19). Women journey with Jesus (8:2), and Martha and Mary (10:38-42) are his friends. Women are first to share the Good News of the Resurrection (24:9).

Consider gifting yourself with time to pause each day to read a small part of the Gospel of Luke!

Lyn Breen, Adult Faith Education Sandhurst