Worship - 18 October 2026

Summary Of This Week's Theme

Luke is mentioned three times in the Letters of Saint Paul, once as “the beloved physician,” but the Church remembers him chiefly as the author of two books which came to be included in the New Testament. The first book is the one we know as the Gospel according to Luke, where he told the story of Jesus, his preaching and mighty work in the border-country of Galilee, his suffering, death and resurrection at the very heart of Israel, in Jerusalem itself. The second of Luke’s two books is the Acts of the Apostles. In this work he told how the good news was spread: how the apostles began their preaching at Jerusalem and moved westwards with the gospel until they reached the very centre of the Roman empire, the city of Rome itself. Thus, in these two books, Luke presented a comprehensive history of the gospel in terms of a journey from the hinterland of Judea to the heartland of imperial power and civilisation. We offer thanks to God for bestowing such gifts of understanding and literary skill on Luke, and we celebrate Luke himself because he responded so faithfully to the working of grace. But still, we remember the story-teller for the story that he told; and that story is the Lord’s story. So, on this his day, we can honour Saint Luke no more highly than by joining in the telling of that story, which God gave him power to give us; that story which is the praise of God through Jesus Christ in the Holy Spirit.

I can't help wondering whether one of the motivational urges to record his gospel was that he found in the teaching, ministry and life of Jesus something that was to be a healing force not only for individuals, but for a whole people.  In fact, this gospel is recorded by a physician not just as a record of impressive healing incidents of one man in one time and place, but as something that can be a healing influence for the world. 

Today, with more and more advances in medical technique and technology, we still find a place for prayer and healing through the spirit. Luke would draw our attention, through the healing of humans through physician and faith, to the promise of healing for the nations through the gospel. 

Especially as he frames it with inclusion, openness, compassion, reconciliation.  Luke captures the essence of the message of Jesus: the Kingdom of God has come near; now, go and bring it a little nearer.  Maybe telling a story will help.