October 17, 2019
Greetings St. Luke’s, friends and family!
This Sunday, October 20, we will celebrate St. Luke’s Day. The Feast of St. Luke the Evangelist falls on October 18th every year and it is our prerogative - as his namesake - to transfer that festival to the nearest Sunday…and party!
Tradition holds that Luke was the author of the third Gospel and the Book of Acts. He was a companion of Paul’s and as described in the Letter to the Colossians, Luke was a “beloved physician.
We’ve had the privilege of reading a large portion of Luke’s gospel over the past few months. I have been moved by its presentation of Jesus’ and his awareness of and compassion for the marginalized, sick and vulnerable. It has also reminded me that my faith must be marked both by saying I am Christian and acting like I am a Christian. St. Luke’s image of Christ - and his exhortations to both believers and detractors - has given me a renewed sense of purpose and a foundation for my vocation as your rector: to trust in God, to loosen my grip, and to love each of you as you are - seeking healing and wholeness for all of us.
Our church reflects its patron Luke and the picture he painted of Jesus in his Gospel: St. Luke’s heals. Knowing that I am loved and appreciated by you all has allowed my to grow and to be myself. I am more complete. I suspect that St. Luke’s does this for many, if not most, of you as well. Being a part of St. Luke’s heals us, restores us and makes us whole.
I am grateful to God for this church and the people that come here week after week. I am grateful for all of the healing that you do, both in the church and in our community. This week is a special one for all of us! God bless St. Luke’s!
Fr. Jesse