Saint Luke, October 18

Collect:
Almighty God, who didst inspire thy servant Luke the physician to set forth in the Gospel the love and healing power of thy Son: Graciously continue in thy Church the like love and power to heal, to the praise and glory of thy Name; through the same thy Son Jesus Christ our Lord, who liveth and reigneth with thee, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.

First Lesson: Ecclesiasticus 38:1-4, 6-10, 12-14
Hold the physician in honor, for he is essential to you, and God it was who established his profession.
From God the doctor has his wisdom, and the king provides for his sustenance.
His knowledge makes the doctor distinguished, and gives him access to those in authority.
God makes the earth yield healing herbs which the prudent man should not neglect.

6 He endows men with the knowledge to glory in his mighty works, through which the doctor eases pain and the druggist prepares his medicines; thus God's creative work continues without cease in its efficacy on the surface of the earth.
My son, when you are ill, delay not, but pray to God, who will heal you.

12 Then give the doctor his place lest he leave, for you need him too.
There are times that give him an advantage and he too beseeches God that his diagnosis may be correct and his treatment bring about a cure.

Second Lesson: 2 Timothy 4:5-13
But you, keep your head in all situations, endure hardship, do the work of an evangelist, discharge all the duties of your ministry.

For I am already being poured out like a drink offering, and the time has come for my departure. I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. 8Now there is in store for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day--and not only to me, but also to all who have longed for his appearing.

Do your best to come to me quickly, for Demas, because he loved this world, has deserted me and has gone to Thessalonica. Crescens has gone to Galatia, and Titus to Dalmatia. Only Luke is with me. Get Mark and bring him with you, because he is helpful to me in my ministry. I sent Tychicus to Ephesus. When you come, bring the cloak that I left with Carpus at Troas, and my scrolls, especially the parchments.

Psalm: 147 or 147:1-7

1. Hallelujah!
   How good it is to sing praises to our God! *
   how pleasant it is to honor him with praise!
2. The LORD rebuilds Jerusalem; *
   he gathers the exiles of Israel.
3. He heals the brokenhearted *
   and binds up their wounds.
4. He counts the number of the stars *
   and calls them all by their names.
5. Great is our LORD and mighty in power; *
   there is no limit to his wisdom.
6. The LORD lifts up the lowly, *
   but casts the wicked to the ground.
7. Sing to the LORD with thanksgiving; *
   make music to our God upon the harp.
8. He covers the heavens with clouds *
   and prepares rain for the earth;
9. He makes grass to grow upon the mountains *
   and green plants to serve mankind.
10. He provides food for flocks and herds *
    and for the young ravens when they cry.
11. He is not impressed by the might of a horse; *
    he has no pleasure in the strength of a man;
12. But the LORD has pleasure in those who fear him, *
    in those who await his gracious favor.
13. Worship the LORD, O Jerusalem; *
    praise your God, O Zion;
14. For he has strengthened the bars of your gates; *
    he has blessed your children within you.
15. He has established peace on your borders; *
    he satisfies you with the finest wheat.
16. He sends out his command to the earth, *
    and his word runs very swiftly.
17. He gives snow like wool; *
    he scatters hoarfrost like ashes.
18. He scatters his hail like bread crumbs; *
    who can stand against his cold?
19. He sends forth his word and melts them; *
    he blows with his wind, and the waters flow.
20. He declares his word to Jacob, *
    his statutes and his judgments to Israel.
21. He has not done so to any other nation; *
    to them he has not revealed his judgments.
    Hallelujah!

Gospel: Luke 4:14-21
Jesus returned to Galilee in the power of the Spirit, and news about him spread through the whole countryside. He taught in their synagogues, and everyone praised him.

He went to Nazareth, where he had been brought up, and on the Sabbath day he went into the synagogue, as was his custom. And he stood up to read. The scroll of the prophet Isaiah was handed to him. Unrolling it, he found the place where it is written:

"The Spirit of the Lord is on me,
because he has anointed me
to preach good news to the poor.
He has sent me to proclaim freedom for the prisoners
and recovery of sight for the blind,
to release the oppressed,
to proclaim the year of the Lord's favor."

Then he rolled up the scroll, gave it back to the attendant and sat down. The eyes of everyone in the synagogue were fastened on him, and he began by saying to them, "Today this scripture is fulfilled in your hearing."

Collect & Psalm from the Book of Common Prayer
Other excerpts from the New International Bible

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