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St. Luke

 

            
             Luke's unique perspective on Jesus can be seen in the six miracles and eighteen parables he wrote about in his Gospel. Not too much is known about Luke's early life. Historians believe that St. Luke was born a Greek and a Gentile at Antioch in Syria. He was probably born a slave, which meant that at that time that he was educated in medicines and healing, a common practice during this time period, and took over the role of family physician. Since I have always been interested in herbs and plants and how they relate to pharmaceutical purposes, I have been interested in St. Luke, often referred to as a patron saint of physicians.
             Luke's Christian ministry is described in Acts. Luke joined St. Paul at age fifty-one and accompanied him first to Samothrace, Neapolis, and finally Philippi. While Paul was in prison, Luke kept the church going in his absence. Although a specific date is not known for his birthdate, Luke lived during the time of St. Paul and is believed to have died at age eighty-four after settling in Greece to write his account of Jesus' life. He traveled with St. Paul as a missionary during his fifties and later settled in Greece to write his Gospel. (Catholic University of America, 2000) .
             Historians don't have much information about his family other than he was probably a slave trained to be a doctor. The main things St. Luke is noted for are being a physician, being a missionary with St. Paul and writing one of the four Gospels of Jesus. The Gospel according to St. Luke is the most descriptive of all four Gospels. St. Luke describes in detail the miracles and many parables of Jesus. It is clear that St. Luke also had a special devotion to Mary and was referred to by St. Paul as "Luke, the beloved physician." (Colossians 4:14) .
             Forgiveness and God's mercy to sinners is of primary importance to Luke. Only in Luke do we hear the parable of The Prodigal Son. Throughout Luke's Gospel, Jesus takes the side of the sinner who wants to return to God's mercy.


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