Daily Reflection Tuesday of the Twenty-second Week in Ordinary Time

Luke’s gospel was written approximately 80 to 90 A.D. Luke was writing to Gentile Christians. He himself is believed to be a Gentile Christian, who was probably a disciple of Paul. Luke's gospel will focus on those on the margins of society. The ones who are always on the outside looking in. He wants to show a merciful, compassionate Jesus but first things first. 

In today's gospel reading there is no mistaking who Jesus is. Luke is making it crystal clear that Jesus has power and authority over all things. He sets the tone right away by having the first miracle in his gospel the cure of a demonic. Luke is showing that Jesus has power to rule over all and that he will always defeat Satan. “What is there about his word? For with authority and power he commands the unclean spirits, and they come out.”  Luke wants to make sure that everyone is paying attention to what Jesus says and does. This is a very important tone to set as from here on out Jesus will be with the oppressed. Jesus will heal the sick, touch people with leprosy, speak with Samaritans and a Roman centurion, accept women into his inner circle and forgive sinners.  Healing and teaching and sharing the good news.

As we spend the next few weeks in Luke’s gospel imagine yourself in all the scenes Luke set for us. Put yourself in all these places seeing what is happening. Look around and see if any of these things are happening in today’s society.  As the saying goes, history is bound to repeat itself, or is it? 

Maybe if each of us put the faith we have, that brought us to read this gospel, into action we can change the course of history.