Gospel of Luke

CHAPTER SIX

- Luke was a Gentile-Christian

- Responsible for writing the gospel with the most words and its sequel (Acts of the Apostles)

• Together make up more than a quarter of the New Testament

-Style, language, and organization of the Gospel and Acts are very similar

• Both works addressed to Theophilus

Background

BackgroundDo we really know the author?

- Identified as St. Paul’s coworker from Antioch

• Remained Paul’s friend

• Probably used a travel diary to construct some of the history of Acts

• The prologue mentions Luke was from Antioch in Syria and died in

Greece

-Certain that he did not know the historical Jesus in person and did not come from the Holy Land

Background- Author of Luke was a brilliant artist with

words• Wrote beautiful polished Greek

- Wrote for Gentile Christian churches

- Major Theme • Universality of Jesus’ offer of salvation

- Gospel intended for everyone• Gentiles do not have to convert to Judaism to accept Jesus

Background

- The prologue provides solid information on:

• Why the gospel was written

• What it is about

• How the author went about writing it

- Luke dedicated his gospel to Theophilus

Background

• Name means “lover

of God”

• Name helps prove the unity of Luke’s two-volume work

Background- In his opening gospel address to Theophilus, Luke states his reasons for writing:

• He wants to show Theophilus and all readers that the instruction in the Christian faith was sound.

• His purpose in writing the Gospel was the strengthen their faith

Common themes in Luke and Acts:

1.) Jesus as a prophet

2.) The Church continues Jesus’ prophetic ministry

3.) The role of the Holy Spirit in salvation history

4.) Prayer, joy, peace

5.) The special role of Mary and women

Common Themes

1.) Jesus the Prophet - Lk 4:14-44

- Jesus reveals that through him, the prophesy about the Messiah is taking place

• God’s kingdom is present

• What Isaiah prophesized is happening right now

Common Themes

• Preach the gospel

• Help people live freely

• Perform acts of mercy

• Work for justice

• Celebrate God’s presence in the world

Jesus outlines his ministry:

1.) The scene at Nazareth foreshadows Jesus’ public life

• Meets with initial acceptance, however, people change their opinion and reject and attempt to kill the innocent prophet in Jerusalem

- The synagogue scene underscores two other themes that appear in Luke and Acts: • The role of the Holy Spirit

• The importance of prayer in the life of Jesus and of the early Church

Common Themes2.) Church Continues Jesus’ Prophetic Mission:

Read: Acts 1-2 Homework:

According to these readings, describe the characteristics of an ideal Christian Community.

Luke depicts the characteristics of an ideal Christian community Acts 2:42-44

• Christian fellowship or communion

• Making sure everyone’s needs are taken care of

• Working together

• Praying with and for each other

• Gospel truth as handed on by the apostolic eyewitnesses

• Celebrating the Holy Mass

Scripture Search:Find references within the gospel of Luke that can beUsed to prove that Luke is the 1. Gospel of the Holy Spirit2. Gospel of Women3. Gospel of the poor and outcast4. Gospel of Prayer5. Gospel of Joy/Hope

List at least two reference from scripture, Chapter and Verse, For each of the above themes. Also give a short summary of What takes place in the reference.

4.) Prayer

- A pervasive theme in Luke and Acts

- Jesus prayed:

Common Themes

In the Synagogue

At His Baptism

In lonely places

The night before choosing the Apostles

At His Transfiguration

Hanging on the Cross

Common Themes4.) Prayer

-Message to be learned is that we should pray as often as the Master did

-Acts of the Apostles shows how the early Church heeded this advice well

5.) Special Role of Mary and Women

- Women were considered inferior to men

- Jesus’ attitude toward women was positive and revolutionary•He included women as the central characters in two of His parables (the Lost Coin and the Unjust Judge)

- Most significant was the women who witnessed his death and resurrection

- Mary illustrated a major Lucan theme - God’s preferential love for the poor

Common Themes

Marian DogmasKnow and define the four Marian Dogmas:

Mother of God and Church

Ever-Virgin

Immaculate Conception

Assumption

Luke offers a portrait of Jesus as the Savior of all people, especially the poor, the vulnerable and the outcast.

- In Luke’s gospel, Jesus is a compassionate Savior who has come to prove God’s great love

- Makes Jesus the friend of the friendless• Shepherds, usually considered outcasts, were the first to visit Jesus’ birth

• Offering of the poor

• Presentation in the Temple

Universal Savior

- More than the other three gospels Luke reassures the poor and warns the rich

- God blesses the poor - not only those socially disadvantaged but also those that recognize they are nothing without God

- Challenges the rich to repent before it is too late

-Luke’s is the only Gospel that records the story of Lazarus and the rich man

-Lazarus means:

“May God help”

or

“The one whom God helps”

-Jesus is warning that those who have plenty in this life must share with those who have less

Messiah & Savior

- Luke reports Jesus reached out to Zacchaeus, a tax collector

• Jesus was enacting a living parable of God’s love for sinners

• Jesus’ compassion also extended to outcasts

Love of Enemies

- God’s love and compassion knew no bounds - nor should ours

• Parable of the Good Samaritan

• Our neighbor is everyone

Messiah & Savior

Love of Enemies

- God’s love and compassion knew no bounds - nor should ours

• Parable of the Good Samaritan

• Our neighbor is everyone

Universal SaviorJesus Christ is the Lord of all people, not just the Jews.Luke traces Jesus’ genealogy all the way back to Adam in order to reveal to the Gentiles that God has always had them and their salvation in mind.Inclusion of the Good Samaritan story reveals righteousness of those who the Jews despise.

• Perhaps the most telling way that Luke present Jesus as the Universal Savior is by getting rid of the Jewish/Hebrew terms. Its savior – not messiah, teacher, not rabbi, hell not gehenna.

• Sermon on the Plain – [not the mountain] Very deliberate attempt by Luke to portray

Jesus as a Savior for all people.He speaks to them on their level. He does not

stand over them, the way the Law of Moses stands over the Gentiles. He is accessible.