What would our knowledge of the life of Jesus be without St. Luke? It is only in his gospel that we find so much detail about the infancy of Jesus: the Annunciation, the Magnificat, the Canticle of Zechariah, only to name a few. It is also only in St. Luke that we find the parables that we know so well: the Prodigal Son, the Good Samaritan, the Pharisee and the tax-collector, the rich man and Lazarus.
The wealth of knowledge of the life and teachings of Christ, comes from an evangelist that transmits Jesus’ particular love and care for the poor. “Blessed are you who are poor, for the kingdom of God is yours,” says the Lord in Luke’s gospel (6:20). Today as we commemorate St. Luke, perhaps we can reflect on the people in our own life who reflect Jesus and his love for the poor in a singular way. And let us join the psalmist in saying, “Your friends make known, O Lord, the glorious splendor of your Kingdom.”