Luke 1:1-4 An Orderly Account

Observation: Since today is the feast of St. Luke the Evangelist, the daily lectionary text is from the beginning of Luke's Gospel. Traditional belief holds that Luke was a physician. That makes sense, because the beginning of this Gospel seems almost scientific in nature. Both Luke's purpose for writing--to write an "orderly account"--and his method, of carefully investigating the word of eyewitnesses, seem similar to modern journalistic methods. It's not an academic medical journal or objective news report by any stretch, but it does lay out from the start that it's crafted with the highest regard for the witness of people who were actually there.

Application: Because Luke was supposedly a doctor, this feast day is often a day for healing. It's not uncommon for churches to have special prayers for healing on this date or one close to it. In the midst of an overwhelming social media tidal wave of "Me Too's", in which many women (and a few men as well) have attested that they, too, have been a victim of sexual harassment or assault, I can't help but make the connection between healing and believing the story of survivors. Healing begins when we listen, as St. Luke did, even to the most difficult stories. No good doctor would interrupt a patient midstream to challenge their account, or say it must not have been all that bad, or that clearly their ailment must be all in their head. To be able to do anything about a patient's problem, a doctor has to first listen carefully, and believe that there is no one more qualified to speak on the patient's experience than the patient herself.

The followers of Jesus have failed far too many victims of sexual harassment, assault and abuse, by failing to do what we should know best--listening to and believing the stories of eyewitnesses. We have to repent and do better. If we take St. Luke's story seriously, and the stories of those he faithfully listened to, then we know Jesus has conquered death. There is no suffering in our lives, no matter how disturbing, that is foreign to him, nor beyond his ability to draw to himself for healing. If we can trust in that witness, we can and should be open to hearing the story of any victim. Jesus is a healer. He wants us to speak.

Prayer: Jesus, thank you for the faithful witness of your friends and family, and the faithful hearing and proclamation of Luke the Evangelist. Following his example, let us listen--let us truly hear--and let us resolve to be changed, and be part of the healing of all those victimized by the sin of this world. Amen.