The Healers Among Us

Today is the Feast of St. Luke.

Although one of the four Evangelists, Luke never met Jesus face to face. Instead, he was an early missionary for Christianity like Paul. Legend has it that Luke was in Rome when Paul was martyred. Prolific in his accounts of the birth through death and resurrection of Jesus, his Acts of the Apostles chronicles the days, principal characters and trials of the early church and spread of the Gospel.

Luke was not a Jew, but a gentile who wrote in Greek. He was a physician with an amazing gift to write in such a way that salvation has a face, hands, and a human touch. Writing today he would easily be employed by People magazine because of his attention to the human interest story. His Gospel is the good news that tells of the angelic encounter of Mary in the Annunciation, of more miracles and parables than the other evangelists.

I have always been fond of Luke and the message that the Holy Spirit enabled him to reveal. His words as well as his presence must have been particularly welcomed by those who were on the margins of society. When I read his words something rings tender and true. In a different way Luke - like Jesus - would touch and heal.... sometimes the body and just as often the spirit.

Today on the Feast of St. Luke (or the Sunday before or after) many churches make a particular effort to acknowledge the work of their parishioners who are engaged in the healing professions.

Dear Farmers out there who are healers, listeners, comforters..... thank you. You follow in the footsteps of a wonderful witness for Christ!