The Gospel of Luke

This month I have been leading a weekly Bible Study on Tuesday nights at 6:15 pm in the school and on Wednesday mornings at 9:00 am in the rectory. We have been focusing on the Gospel of Luke and I have been teaching about Luke and the major themes in his Gospel.

Luke, it may surprise you to learn, was not one of the Apostles. In fact, he wasn't even Jewish. He was a Gentile, a non-Jewish person, who was converted to the Christian faith by St. Paul during one of his missionary journeys. So Luke is exactly like us. He never met Jesus or heard him speak or saw a miracle. He came to faith based upon the testimony of others and through the grace of the Holy Spirit. Luke then took it upon himself to write down all the things he learned in a detailed and historical fashion to help Theophilus and others know about who Jesus is and why he matters.


During our second week, we focused on Mary in Luke's Gospel. Luke gives more attention to Mary than any other Gospel writer. In fact, most of what we know about Mary and the foundations for our Church's teaching on Mary comes from Luke's Gospel. For Luke, Mary is the first true disciple. She is unwavering in her trust in the goodness of God. Her fiat, her "yes" to God, allows Jesus to be conceived in her and begins God's work of redemption. She is present for all of the major moments in the life of her Son and ponders these events in heart. Mary is reflective, prayerful and discerning, all of the qualities necessary for discipleship.



This past week, we looked at women in Luke's Gospel. Luke mentions women more than any of the other Gospel writers. In fact, he has 23 unique stories in his Gospel that center around women. Luke is showing that women have a role to play in the Christian community. Jesus' interactions with women defy the normal religious and social expectations of his day. He speaks with women in public and recognizes their dignity, their faith and the gifts they have to offer. Jesus doesn't give in to social or religious attitudes of the time that view certain women as unclean or worthy of punishment. Instead, he shows women great compassion and mercy. Luke also makes it clear at multiple points that Jesus had disciples who were women. Certain women traveled with him and the 12 apostles from village to village, listened to his teachings and even supported his ministry with their own money. And women were the first witnesses to the Resurrection.  



Our last Bible Study sessions will be this Tuesday at 6:15 pm and Wednesday at 9:00 am. I encourage everyone to come and join us, as we will be discussing universal salvation in Luke's Gospel. We will be looking at passages that highlight the faith and conversion of traditional outsiders: the Roman Centurion, the Good Samaritan and the poor who suffer. Luke himself was an outsider, so he has a particular passion for showing how Jesus extends the Kingdom to those on the periphery of society. No prior preparation is necessary-we read passages together during the session. It should be a great discussion! I hope you will join us.

God Bless,


Important Upcoming Dates!
February 21 - Dine Around: Panera

February 21 - Unity Gala Silent Auction ends at 10pm

February 23 - Unity Gala

February 24 - Stump the Priest

February 25 - Parish Pastoral Council at 7pm

February 26 - Bible Study: Gospel of Luke

February 27 - Bible Study: Gospel of Luke

March 2 - Men's Spirituality

Dine Around
TONIGHT!
Thursday, Feb 21st, 4-8pm
Panera
400 W Diversey Ave.
Includes Dine in and delivery!!
Order online and add "PRFUND" in promo code section
Unity Gala
Online Auction ends at 10p TONIGHT!
Join us at 7pm this
Saturday, Feb 23rd
at Moonlight Studios for an evening of celebration at our annual parish fundraiser. This year's event will feature cocktails, appetizers, an exciting Live Auction, and dancing! 
Questions? email: stephaniepall@gmail.com
Stump the Priest
Have a burning question about life as a Catholic that you've been too afraid to ask? Want to learn something new about our faith while meeting other young people from the community? TnT (St. Vincent's young adult group) has just the solution! 
 Sunday, Feb 24th at 6pm McGee's Tavern & Grille
950 W. Webster
Questions? Email
stvincentdepaultnt@gmail.com
Feb Bible Study: 
The Gospel of Luke
It's not too late to join us for our final week of Bible Study on the Gospel of Luke.  
Fr. Francis will guide us in reading and reflecting.  All are welcome!  No previous experience necessary!  You can read the bible online at usccb.com/bible.
We meet in the school lower level on Tuesday, and in the rectory on Wednesday:
Tuesday, Feb 26th, 6:15pm
Wednesday, Feb 27th, 9am
Men's Spirituality
The Men's Spirituality Group meets on the first and third Saturday of each month (October - May) at 6:30am in the Red Door Meeting Room of the Rectory.  Participants use a resource to guide their discussion and prayer. 
All men of the Parish and their friends are welcome. Our next meeting is :
Saturday, Mar 2nd
Shop and Support
Recycle your floral vases - bring them to Ashland Addison Florist Co. for a donation to St. Josaphat!

Shop smile.amazon.com and select St. Josaphat Parish as your charitable organization, and St. Josaphat gets  5% on eligible items!

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SJS gets 13%!

Thank you for your support!
February Theme:
Praying With Scripture