+ In Revelation 4:6, four beasts give endless praise before the throne of God: a man, an ox,
a lion, and an eagle.
Tradition hold that these signify the four Evangelists.
Luke is the ox, the symbol of strength and sacrifice.
His Gospel opens with the priest Zechariah who “was chosen by lot to
enter the sanctuary of the Lord to burn incense” (1-9).
In the Temple, Zechariah encounters the angel Gabriel, who heralds the
birth of his son, John the Baptist.
Gabriel goes next to Mary to tell her that she will conceive and bear
“the Son of the Most High” (1:32).
A tradition dating to the 6th century makes Luke the first
artist to have painted the Virgin Mary.
Our entrance antiphon today from the Prophet Isaiah magnificently
proclaims the beauty upon the mountains that the feet of him who brings glad
tidings of peace, bearing good news, announcing salvation are.
These were Jesus feet, these were St. Luke’s feet, these can be our feet
today – feet that follow in the footsteps of the Lord Jesus announcing the
arrival of the new kingdom of God.
In the second reading St. Paul is telling Bishop Timothy that it is only
Luke who stands by him now – the announcing of the gospel separates the men
from the boys – and Luke turns out to be a man among men – a physician who
understands the entire person: made up of a feeble and wavering mind, an often
times broken down body, but a spirit that can soar like an eagle.
It is this entire person that the Lord wants to visit, lay hands on and
heal – mind, body and spirit. The parable of St. Luke are classic and wonderful
to behold, including one of the most awesome and powerful of all: The Prodigal
Son. God is ALWAYS READY to receive back anyone who comes to their senses and
decides to head home. He runs to meet us, to pamper us and throw us a big
party.
Jesus in the gospel passage indeed is the primary announcer of peace!
Peace seeks peace – and often times causes a challenging situation – until
hearts and minds are changed, reconciled and welcomed into the heart of the Prodigal
Father.
Your friends make known, O Lord, the glorious
splendor of your Kingdom.
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