29th Sunday in Ordinary Time
In our reading, the prophet Isaiah was talking of a servant giving his life for the sins of others. He will be doing what God wants. Because of his suffering, he will be given light and will save many people.
In our gospel, Jesus was talking with his disciples. He was telling them not to be like the Gentiles who don’t believe in God who use their power to boss others around and make those people serve them. He wants his disciples to serve others to be truly great and important. Jesus, himself came to serve everyone, even giving up his life.
Special Saint/Feast Day: St. Luke – October 18
It is believed that Luke was a gentile doctor. He was a good, kind man who came to know the Lord from the great apostle Paul. After Luke became a Christian, he sometimes traveled with Paul.
Luke is the author of two books in the Bible: the Gospel of Luke and the Acts of the Apostles. Luke did not meet Jesus but he wanted to write about him for new converts. He talked to those who had known Jesus and he wrote down what they had seen Jesus do and what they heard him say.
He is known for many stories: birth of Jesus, Jesus lost in the Temple, Zacchaeus the tax collector, Good Samaritan, Prodigal Son, etc.
St. Luke is the patron saint of painters and doctors. Luke’s Gospel tells us of God’s mercy for people who are sorry for their sins. Sometimes we become discouraged because of our sins and mistakes. We can ask St. Luke to show us how to have confidence in Jesus’ mercy, as he did.