Luke – a narrator and a historian In the prologue LK himself says that he is not an

eyewitness but a narrator of the things which he has heard (LK 1:1-4). He narrates to make them suitable to the needs of his community.

LK, a non-Jewish convert himself, is writing to the general and Gentile Christian readers.

LK as a historian includes persons and events of history 1:5;2:1-2;3:1-2; Acts 11:28;12:20-23. He integrates the life of Jesus and history of the church as a redemptive history unfolding in secular history.

Luke’s history is salvation history LK writes not a secular history but salvation

history. He writes not a chronology but a theology.

LK wants to show how God accomplished his salvific action in history (LK 1:1; 13:33; 17:25).

LK uses the verb ‘to save’ about thirty times in Luke-Acts showing salvation as his main theme.

Salvation is the central theme around which he arranges all the events and teachings of Christ.

Luke’s salvation history Salvation is the central theme of LK LK writes salvation history from the incarnation of Christ

to the spread of Christianity among Gentiles Mary in her magnificat rejoices in God her Savior (Lk

1:47), Angels announce the birth of the Savior to shepherds (Lk 2:11), John the Baptist preaches forgiveness and salvation (Lk 1:77), Simeon beholds salvation in the Child Jesus (Lk 2:30), Isaiah’s prophecy of salvation fulfilled in Jesus (Lk 3:6), Zacchaeus attains salvation when Jesus visits his house (Lk 19:9)

Luke’s universal Salvation LK stresses the universal salvation in Christ. Though MT

28:19 and MK 16:15 have aspects of universality, LK made it as his main theme.

He places the incarnation of Christ in the centre of world history as he goes back to Adam, the father of humanity in his genealogy of Jesus LK 3:23-38 unlike Mt who goes back to Abraham, the father of Israel Mt 1:1-2.

Salvation is for all and not Jews alone as the angel in LK announces, ‘peace on earth to all people of good will’ 2:14.

Universal Salvation Simeon said, ‘I have seen your salvation

prepared in the sight of all peoples, a light revealed to the Gentiles’ (Lk 2:30-32).

When quoting Isaiah 40:3, LK quotes more than Mt 3:3 and Mk 1:3 – ‘all mankind will see God’s salvation’ (Lk 3:6).

Jesus in LK instructs that ‘the message of repentance and forgiveness of sins must be preached to all nations’ (LK 24:47).

Luke’s emphasis on Jesus as a loving savior

The conversion of Mary Magdalene LK 7:36-50 The conversion of Zacheus LK 19:1-10 Jesus weeping over Jerusalem Lk 19:41-44,

13:34-35 Jesus’ prayer for his executioners LK 23:34 Jesus’ promise to the good thief LK 23:39-43 Jesus conversation with his disciples on the way

to Emmaus LK 24:13-35

Jesus kindness to non-Jews LK preserved the sayings and kind deeds of Jesus toward

non-Jews. Jesus presents the Samaritans who were treated with contempt and hostility as models for Jews.

When the disciples wanted to call down fire on a Samaritan village, Jesus rebuked them as unbecoming of his disciples (Lk 9:51-56).

Among the ten lepers healed by Jesus only a Samaritan returns to give thanks whom Jesus praises (Lk 17:11-19).

In the parable of Good Samaritan, Jesus makes Samaritan as the example for unconditional love (Lk 10:29-37).

In the parable of prodigal son Jesus shows that younger son and elder son are both in need of grace and mercy LK 15.

Luke- Gospel of the poor and lowly LK writes his gospel to Theophilus (lover of God),

perhaps a gentile and humble convert Mary sings about the concern of God for the poor and

lowly 1:52-53. The son of God embraced poverty by being born as human being in a manger.

The angel in LK announces the good news of savior's birth to the poor shepherds LK 2:8-9

Jesus sermon on the plain in LK (at the level of people) says ‘blessed are you who are poor’ LK 6:20, unlike MT that says, ‘blessed are the poor in spirit’ ( MT 5:3-12=LK 6:20-26).

Gospel of the poor and lowly Though MT and MK have Jesus teaching in the

synagogue, LK includes the text of prophet Isaiah (61:1-2, 58:6) to show Jesus as the anointed one to bring good news to the poor (Mt 13:54-58=MK 6:1-6=Lk 4:16-30)

Poverty is an expression of faith in God and our hearts are satisfied not with the created things but with the creator. ‘Our hearts are made for you God and they cannot rest until they rest in you’ says St. Augustine. Nothing less than God can truly satisfy our hearts.

Parable of the rich fool 12:16-21; dishonest steward 16:1-9; rich man and Lazarus 16:19-31- all express Jesus’ sympathy for the poor.

Luke- a gospel of joy Though gospel means good or joyful news, LK specially

emphasizes the aspect of joy and gladness in his gospel The angel said to Zechariah about the joy and gladness

they would have when John is born 1:14 The angel Gabriel addressed Mary as ‘Hail’ meaning

rejoice 1:28 The angel has a good news of joy and peace for the

shepherds 2:11 Speaking about persecutions Jesus tells his disciples to

rejoice on that day and leap for joy 6:23

Luke- a gospel of joy The seventy-two disciples came back in great

joy because even the demons obeyed 10:17 All the people rejoiced over the wonderful things

Jesus did 13:17 There is more joy in heaven over one repentant

sinner than over ninety-nine righteous people and angels rejoice over repentant sinner 15:7

The coming home of a sinner is a joy and a feast for God 15:20-23

Luke- a gospel of joy

Mary’s Magnificat is a song of joy and praise- ‘my soul glorifies God and my spirit rejoices in God my savior’ 1:46-47

Zechariah sang the Benedictus- blessing the God of Israel who has come to the help of his people 1:68

The angels sang glory to God and peace to people of good will (Gloria) 2:14

Simeon’s Nunc Dimittis- let your servant go in peace 2:29 speaks of joy and praise

After the Ascension the disciples returned to Jerusalem with great joy 24:52-53

What it means to be a Christian A Christian or a disciple is one who denies himself and

takes up his cross ‘daily’ and follow Christ LK 9:23-27= MK 8:34= MT 16:24-28.

Prays constantly and loves even enemies and practices meekness and mercy 6:27-38

Practices poverty to respond wholeheartedly to Christ’s call 4:18;7:22. He renounces everything and has an attitude of detachment 18:22; 5:11,28

Riches are means not ends 12:13-21. Must be patient 21:19; attain blessedness 6:20 and eternal life 16:19-31

Christian Discipleship 14:25-33 We should have primary and pride of place for

God and Christ in our lives. we should keep away from anything which obstructs this love ( LK 14:25-33= MT 10:37-38).

Love of God must take priority in our life. God cannot take a second place in our life. Either first or no place, everything or nothing at all.

St. Gregory the Great says, ‘In this world let us love everyone even our enemies, but let us hate him who opposes us on our way to God even though he be our relative’.

Christian Discipleship 14:25-33 The call to follow Christ cannot be taken half-heartedly.

Christ does not want lukewarm Christians. ‘If anyone wishes to come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me’ 9:23.

We cannot follow Christ without loving the cross. The Cross is not a tragedy but true way to experience love and salvation 14:27 (1Cor 1:18-25)

Saints loved the cross and generously embraced it knowing the redemptive value of suffering. They felt a day without cross and suffering is a day that is lost. (Rom 5:3-5)

The Parable of Good Samaritan: Luke 10:25-37

The scholar of the law asked Jesus: what must I do to inherit eternal life? Jesus quotes Deut 6:5 as love of God comes first and Lev 19:18 as love of neighbor follows as a consequence.

To justify himself the scholar asked, who is my neighbor? Only a Jew is a neighbor to another Jew. Jews hated Samaritans JN 4:9. Jesus proclaimed about the law of love in Sermon on the plain 6:27-36.

Jesus corrects the false piety and excessive legalism (touching a dead body causes legal impurity Num 19:11-22; Lev 21:1-12) and illustrates the superiority of love over legalism through the story of Good Samaritan

Christians are called to be good Samaritans

St. Augustine identifies Our Lord as the good Samaritan and the wounded as Adam and fallen mankind. Jesus is moved by the sufferings of mankind making them his own Is 53:4; Mt 8:17; Jn 3:5, Mk 1:41; Lk 7:13.

St. John says, ‘God so loved us, we also ought to love one another’ 1 Jn 4:9-11. Works of mercy Mt 25:35ff.

Neighbor is anyone who is in need spiritual or material. As disciples of Christ we are called to share the same love of Christ with others in need.

Rich Man and Lazarus 16:19-31 LK in this story illustrates Jesus teaching on life

after death, innate dignity of every human person, retribution and proper use of wealth.

The rich man was oblivious to the needs of the poor at his gate. Both are created in the image of God and redeemed by Christ. Sin is not only a sin of commission but also sin of omission.

He failed to observe love of neighbor and did not realize the seriousness of the present opportunity in preparing for eternal life. “Love God by loving your neighbor” SFS.

Riches are means and not ends Death marks the end of all material things and pleasures

including the opportunity to do good and practice virtue. Jesus is not against wealth but the uncharitable attitude.

What kept him away is not the wealth but his attitude and untrustworthy stewardship.

These two men had two different life styles and even different deaths. For the rich man life ends and for Lazarus life begins. One finds consolation and the other faces condemnation.

What a contrast! The poor man was known by his name not the rich man. What matters to God is not wealth but love, faithful lives and social responsibility.

Eternal life is our goal For LK The rich man calls Abraham his father. Abraham explains to the

rich man why things have turned out this way. Spiritual relationship is greater than blood relationship that effects salvation.

Lazarus is perhaps surprised that rich man knows his name. Rich man still thinks that Lazarus can be his errand boy to cool his tongue and go to warn his brothers. The rich man shows concern but too late. No explanation is needed for one who believes and no explanation is sufficient for one who does not believe.

The rich man is hopeless in netherworld but Lazarus is eternally happy in Abraham’s bosom. St. John Chrysostom says, ‘let us repent, convert and become better people during our brief life so that we will not lament like the rich man when we die’.

Forgiveness and Mercy in Luke No other gospel is more concerned than LK with

the mercy and compassion of Jesus 7:41-43;10:29-37;13:6-9; 15:11-32.

LK alone has the plea ‘Father forgive them, for they know not what they do’ 23:34

Some of the most memorable stories of divine mercy are found only in LK- widow of Naim, the prodigal son, forgiveness of sinful woman, Zacchaeus etc.

Mercy and Compassion of Jesus Tax collectors were hated as enemies of God by

Jews. But Jesus calls Levi to be his disciple 5:27-32; stayed as a guest at Zacchaeus’ house 19:2-10

He appreciated publican more than Pharisee in prayer 18:9-14; and the Good Samaritan played an exemplary role to be emulated by Jews 10:29-37;17:11-19.

Forgiveness of the sinful woman 7:36-50

The woman moved by grace and love of God manifests her faith and trust that Jesus will receive her with compassion

Simon the Pharisee who invited Jesus overlooked his own sinfulness and the need of forgiveness. Everyone is a sinner in need of forgiveness

Jesus uses the parable of the money lender to show that it is through faith and love that one receives forgiveness. The woman’s many sins are forgiven because of her great love and faith

Prodigal Son or a Loving Father?LK 15:11-32

The most famous parable of Jesus, a spiritual classic, literary jewel and very inspirational.

The title ‘Prodigal Son’ is a misnomer because the story emphasizes the prodigality of a loving father to both of his sons (where sin increases God’s love increase much more Rom 5:20).

The parable indirectly touches upon every breach of the covenant of love, every loss of grace and every sin.

There will be more joy in heaven over one repentant sinner than over ninety-nine righteous people 15:7,10- a precious contribution of LK.

Prodigal son 15:11-32 The division of property ordinarily awaited death

of a father. By demanding his share and leaving the family, the younger son cut off all his ties with family.

Prodigal son’s predicament describes the enslavement that sin brings and the loss of freedom of the children of God Rom 8:21 Gal 4:31

Caring for pigs evokes the idea of the loss of everything that identified him as a son and member of the family. He is now lower than swine as he has no access even to husks to eat.

Father’s prodigal love 15:11-32 It took a calamity to bring him to his senses and

remember his father’s love. He felt unworthy to be a son, decided to plead to be accepted as a hired servant

The father was on vigil for his son’s return and when he saw him from afar, he ran to meet and embraced and kissed him (if we take one step God will take innumerable steps) (Gen 33:4, 45:28)

The father was faithful to his fatherhood and faithful to the love that he always lavished upon his son

God’s unconditional love as our father

The fine robe, ring, shoes and celebration with fattened calf, signify him as son and not servant. The son is more important for the father than anything he has done

God’s grace and love is so great that man cannot grasp is seen in the reaction of elder son. We need to understand that if God has so much love and compassion towards sinners, how much more will he have the same for the faithful ones.

He goes out to his elder son who is filled with jealousy, anger and self-righteous attitude, with the same love that he manifested to his younger son.

The God who loves and forgives the prodigal son will love and forgive us when we repent and return to him in confession.

Jesus and Zacchaeus 19:1-10 The story of Zacchaeus who was a tax-collector,

wealthy man, considered as sinner and hated by Jews, is unique to Luke’s gospel.

Wealth and position had dwarfed him but the genuine desire for conversion and encounter with Christ enabled him to experience salvation.

Desire for Christ and new life made him climb the Sycamore tree. He had to shed any shame or inhibition and mingle with crowd. It is not enough to have desire but we need to make every effort

Jesus and Zacchaeus Jesus takes the initiative and rewards his efforts by staying in

his house as his guest putting into practice the parable of the lost sheep 15:4-7, prophesied in Ezekiel 34:16. Jesus helps him to find his way back to the flock. Though a tax collector Jesus calls him son of Abraham to show that no one should be ostracized based on failures. Love of Jesus awakens new possibilities.

Moved by grace Zacchaeus begins a new life. He confesses his guilt and declares the amendment. He goes beyond the prescribed law of Moses in restitution- not two fold but fourfold Ex 21:37.

Transformed Zacchaeus is now ready to give half of his wealth to the poor which is a true sign of salvation