This doesn’t imply that these Gospels are precisely alike. Each evangelist narrates the life of Jesus through his unique viewpoint. Motivated by the Holy Spirit, the evangelists utilized their human talents for the purpose of salvation. This implies that it is fair to assert that Luke incorporated elements in his Gospel that held significance for him. Thanks to Luke, we are familiar with the tales of the Good Samaritan, the Prodigal Son, and Zaccheus the tax collector.

The mission of the 72 disciples is a narrative exclusive to Luke. It highlights one of the key themes of his Gospel: discipleship. In this account, we discover that being a disciple is challenging (“… look, I am sending you as lambs among wolves …”). We find that disciples should trust that God will support them (“Take no money bag, no sack, no sandals …”) and that they must announce the kingdom (“… tell them, ‘The Kingdom of God has come near to you …’”).

Every follower needs to grasp this teaching: to avoid the distractions of the worldly realm and to value spiritual matters more. We ought not to hold in high regard the aspects of this existence, but instead cherish the new and extraordinary gifts of the kingdom of God!

A supplication seeking St. Luke’s intercession:

Lord God, who selected Saint Luke to disclose through his sermons and texts the secret of your love for the destitute, grant that those who already rejoice in your name may endure as one heart and one spirit, and that all nations may be deserving of witnessing your salvation. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, God, for ever and ever. Amen.

My Daily Visitor spiritual reflections are a dose of daily Catholic inspiration from Our Sunday Visitor magazine.

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