Sunday’s Readings: St Luke the Evangelist

Isaiah 35.3-6 or Acts 16.6-12a; Psalm 147.1-7; 2 Timothy 4.5-17; Luke 10.1-9

“EAT and drink whatever they supply,” Jesus says. Hospitality is a frequent topic within the Bible: here, the main target is on being a great guest slightly than a great host. The heart of the matter is sweet manners, consideration, and gratitude. From a German friend I learned that “Guests are like fish: after three days they stink” — an ideal proverb for long-suffering hosts in all places. In this verse of Luke, we’re shown what it means to be a considerate guest.

The ideal of being a guest often clashes with real-life human foibles. One of my sisters is a foodie and an incredible cook, but hosting a lot of people, with many food likes and dislikes, once led her to exclaim: “This isn’t cooking: it’s catering!” And nothing makes the guts of a parent feeding their child’s friends sink just like the words “fussy eater”. What a difference from the friend I once invited to dinner, who, once I asked whether there was anything he didn’t eat, responded immediately: “Yes: small portions!”

The sending out of the seventy-two incorporates three elements pointing to Luke the Evangelist, which is why it has been chosen for his feast day. The first is an ancient tradition that Luke himself was certainly one of the seventy-two, and took part in a ministry which was (amongst other things) a preaching ministry: “Say to them, ‘The Kingdom of God has come near to you’” (10.9).

So, this tradition imagines that the foundations of his written Gospel were being laid through his experience of being sent out with excellent news. An ancient document (perhaps late second century), “the Muratorian fragment”, incorporates the primary surviving version of the canon of scripture. It contradicts this “fact”, stating firmly that Luke never met Jesus. But, by the fourth century, in keeping with Epiphanius of Salamis, Christians were convinced that the link was real.

The second element that makes this passage a great fit for St Luke’s Day is the greeting that the seventy-two are instructed to make use of: “Peace!” Luke’s Gospel plays a special part in Christian faith because the Gospel of peace. He is the Evangelist who, in the beginning of Jesus’s earthly life, reports the song of the angels with its message of divine peace descending upon humankind: “Glory to God in the very best heaven, and on earth peace amongst those whom he favours!” (2.14).

As Jesus’s life is approaching its end, a song goes up from the people during his entry into Jerusalem, proclaiming “Peace in heaven” and confirming that peace is a mark of the divine presence. Luke’s Gospel, furthermore, is the source of two texts that we treasure, privileging their place within the day by day routines of Christian prayer, morning and evening. These are the canticles of peace, the Benedictus and the Nunc Dimittis: “Guide our feet into the way in which of peace” (1.79); and “Master, now you might be dismissing your servant in peace” (2.29).

The third element that points to Luke on this lection widens the scope of the Gospel, connecting it with Paul’s letter to the Colossians (4.4). There, a person bearing the name “Luke” is described as “the beloved physician”. It is a natural step to link him with the mission of the seventy-two; for they arrive bringing not only peace and excellent news, but in addition healing: “Cure the sick who’re there” (10.9).

So, Jesus gives instructions to the seventy-two, describing their objectives, and explaining how they’re to fulfil them. And certainly one of the important thing instructions is to eat and drink whatever they’re given. Some people might equate this with insincerity: why should anyone be expected to pretend to enjoy food that they don’t actually wish to eat? But it’s a mark of courtesy to not make extra work for his or her hosts, and never to place them to extra expense, either.

If we learn from Jesus be good guests — by not being demanding, not expecting five-star catering and accommodation — we’re way more prone to be welcome to remain some time longer with our hosts. But, if we make them run around, catering to our every whim, who can blame them for being glad to see the back of us?

Luke’s Gospel brings excellent news, healing, and peace. It is a model for us, teaching us to “go and do likewise” — even in small and straightforward things, like being a great guest (Luke 10.37). Good manners are also excellent news.