The Gospel of Saint Luke: A Personal Encounter

When I was in ninth grade, I made the sacrament of Confirmation and received the gift of The Catholic Youth Bible from my parents. As I read through the Bible, I highlighted meaningful passages and made notes on the text. This practice continued throughout high school. Now, at 26 years old, with several Bibles in my possession, I look back to the notes of my Catholic Youth Bible and find a cohesive account of prayer and praise in Luke’s writing. I would like to share with you some of what I wrote, so that you may also get a “taste” of the Gospel of Luke.

The Gospel of Luke

“Behold I am the handmaid of the Lord. May it be done to me according to your word.” (Luke 1:38)

Help me be obedient like Mary.

“Glory to God in the highest and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests.” (Luke 2:14)

Alleluia! Joy to the world. This line is from the Gloria!

 “You shall not put the Lord, your God, to the test” (Luke 4:12)

Help me not do so.

“A good person out of the store of goodness in his heart produces good…” (Luke 7:45)

Help me to be good so that I may produce good fruit.

“‘Do not be afraid; just have faith and she will be saved.’” (Luke 8:50)

Give me faith! 

And all were astonished by the majesty of God” (Luke 9:43)

Help us all still see Your continuous majesty.

“For the one who is least among all of you is the one who is the greatest.” (Luke 9:48)

Help me belittle myself for You and Your kingdom.

The Magnificent Luke

Let us stop there, or this article will never end. Are you seeing the pattern that I am seeing in my personal commentaries? Something like prayer and petition? Perhaps it is just me, but looking back on what I wrote over a decade ago, I am surprised to find that my “commentary” is mostly petition. Help me. Give me. Help us.

Is there something about the Book of Luke that inspires me to beg for the assistance of God in my endeavors?

Unique compared to the other three Gospels, Luke writes,

“Since many have undertaken to compile a narrative of the events that have been fulfilled among us, just as those who were eyewitnesses from the beginning and ministers of the word have handed them down to us, I too have decided, after investigating everything accurately anew, to write it down in an orderly sequence for you, most excellent Theophilus, so that you may realize the certainty of the teachings you have received.” (Luke 1:1-4.)

Unlike the other Gospels, Luke is not just writing a narrative or a book or a scroll. He is writing a letter. “Theophilus” means “Beloved.” Saint Luke may have been addressing a person literally named “Beloved,” or maybe he was speaking to us, his current and future readers, titling us as Beloved.

Be Beloved

If this is a letter addressed to me, then it makes sense I would “write” back to him. For me, I begged God for help. 

I encourage you to open up the Gospel of Luke today. Reflect on your thoughts—maybe even write them down—and converse with St. Luke as if you are Theophilus. May it be a prayer. Beg the Lord for help. Furthermore, read the Acts of the Apostles, as it is considered a sequel to the Gospel of Luke.

There is so much to explore and so many things written directly for our hearts. Let us receive it. May we give back praise, petition, and the pouring out of our souls.

Be Theophilus!

Read more of Jacqueline's writing in her new book Through Esther's Eyes—a novel about Jesus' life as seen through the eyes of His fictional cousin, Esther.