Back at the start of Advent, we began a new Liturgical Year which means we started following a different cycle of readings. We are now in Year C for the Sunday readings and Cycle 1 for weekday readings.
The Gospel of Luke is read during Year C. Every Sunday, except on a few special occasions, the Gospel will come from Luke. You will notice that we will read the Gospel straight through, picking up where we left off the week before.
Did you know?
- Luke is the longest of the four gospels and is the longest book in the whole of the New Testament.
- A.D. 80–90 is believed to be the time of composition for this Gospel.
- Traditionally, the text is believed to have been written by Luke, the companion of Paul (named in Colossians 4:14).
- Luke was a doctor and probably well-educated according to the style of writing and structure of his text. Some believe him to be Greek, making him the only Gentile writer in all of Scripture.
- The cornerstone of Luke’s theology is “salvation history,” the author’s understanding that God’s purpose is seen in the way God has acted all through history.
- The Gospel of Luke continues the biblical history of God’s dealings with humanity found in the Old Testament, showing how God’s promises to Israel have been fulfilled in Jesus and has now been extended to the Gentiles.
- It was important for Luke to show Christianity as a legitimate form of worship in the Roman world.
- Luke was concerned with presenting the words and deeds of Jesus as guides for the conduct of Christian disciples while they awaited Jesus’ return.
- Luke’s Gospel emphasizes the mercy and compassion of Jesus.
- Luke highlights the role of the Spirit in the life of Jesus and the Christian disciple, stresses the importance of prayer, and shows Jesus’ concern for women.
- It has 53 chapters and is organized into eight primary sections.
- This Gospel begins with the beautiful birth story of Jesus’ conception and birth.
- The Gospel concludes with Jesus’ Ascension and the narrative continues into the Acts of the Apostles.
There you go. Now that your interest in the Gospel of Luke has been piqued, I encourage you to stay tuned and pay attention week after week as we hear from the Gospel according to Luke.