ST. LUKE - APOSTLE, EVANGELIST, PHYSICIAN, ...........

Today, the Liturgical Calendar of the Church celebrates St. Luke.  Luke according to Sacred Tradition was a physician, called by Christ to be an Apostle, and who became one of the four primary Evangelists to author one of the four canonical Christian Gospels.   The Gospel of Luke, a Gentile, is focused on the presence and power of the Holy Spirit, in God's Plan for Creation.  Luke also underscores how conversion and discipleship, brings healing and grace.  As a preacher I have always striven to homilize on St. Luke's Gospel in the spirit of the universal call to salvation and the grace of God' Spirit, and human healing it can lead people of Faith to discover.  My own health issues during the past decade, have provided with deeper insight into the healing and grace, even stressful, and enduring illness, disease, pain, rehabilitation, and therapy requires and teaches me.  Whatever health conditions you may be confronted with, as challenging, limiting, and painful, as they may be, need not vanquish our ability to be Faithful Witnesses.  Like anyone beset with health challenges I am sometimes sorely frustrated by the slowness in wholistic physical healing.  But trusting in the assurances of Faith, the Gospel proclaims, me and you, can find the peace and grace to persevere and trust in healing as the God's desire for the fullness of our life and faith in Jesus Christ...........Fr.  Troy