BIBLE STUDY: The Gospel of Luke

 

The Gospel of Luke

(EASTER VIGIL and SYMBOLS)

(Lesson 8 – May 7, 2025 - Lk 24:1–53)

 

Symbol	Theological Meaning	Biblical References	Patristic Reflection
Darkness	Represents the world in sin and death - the movement from death to life, despair to hope, and sin to redemption	Gen 1:2–3: “The earth was without form and void, and darkness was over the face of the deep... Jn 1:5; Lk 23:44–46	St. Augustine:the initial darkness of the Vigil and  subsequent lighting of the Paschal Candle signifies the transformation from despair to hope,
Paschal Candle (Light)	Represents Christ as the Light of the World. The “pillar of fire”.	Jn 8:12: “I am the light of the world...” Jn 1:5; Gen 1:3: “Let there be light.”	Benedict XVI: symbolizes Christ's radiance and the transformative energy of truth and love. St. Augustine - bringing light to the world, dispelling the darkness of sin.​
Easter Fire	The light of Christ rising from the tomb. the fire of the Holy Spirit igniting faith.	Ex 3:2: God appears in a burning bush. - Lk 12:49: "I have come to bring fire on the earth." - Acts 2:3: Tongues of fire at Pentecost.	St. Justin Martyr: The blessing of the new fire during the Vigil symbolizes the faithful's longing for God and the gift of the Holy Spirit. ​   Pope Benedict XVI
Exsultet (Easter Proclamation)	Proclamation of the Resurrection and Christ’s victory over sin and death; recounts salvation history	- Rom 6:9: “Christ, being raised from the dead, will never die again.” 1Cor 15:55	The Exsultet: Christ rose from the dead, transforming sin into redemption.The light of Christ dispelling darkness and the joy of the Church in this victory.
Liturgy of the Word	Salvation history from creation to resurrection demonstrates God's saving work. The vigil's readings recount the history of salvation, from creation to the resurrection, drawing a connection to the Jewish Passover vigil.	Gen 1: Creation Ex 14: Crossing the Red Sea Ezk 36: A new heart and spirit- Rom 6:3-11: Dying and rising with Christ through baptism	Seven from the Old Testament and two from the New Testament. These readings trace the narrative of salvation, from creation to the resurrection of Christ.
Water (Baptismal Liturgy)	Cleansing, rebirth, and the Holy Spirit; participation in Christ’s death and resurrection.	John 3:5: “Unless one is born of water and the Spirit...” Rom 6:4; Titus 3:5: Renewal of Baptismal Promises Mk 16:16: - 1 Peter 3:21	Pope Benedict XVI Baptism signifies both dying with Christ and rising to new life   St.Cyril of Jerusalem
White Garments	purity and new life in Christ; the baptized are clothed in Christ, signifying resurrection and sanctification.      -	Gal 3:27: “All of you who were baptized... have clothed yourselves with Christ.” - Rev 7:14	“Easter Vigil is the mother of all vigils”
Eucharist (Liturgy of the Eucharist)	Sharing in the Paschal Mystery, the Eucharist is the heavenly banquet's foretaste, representing the risen Christ's Body and Blood.	Lk 24:30-31: Emmaus: Jesus is recognized in the breaking of bread. 1 Cor 11:26:	St. Augustine: the sacrament of unity,  the community's participation in the Paschal Mystery, uniting them with the risen Lord.
Immersing the Paschal Candle into the baptismal font	Typically three times: Sanctification of the Waters: Fertilization of the Church: Descent of the Holy Spirit:	Gen 1:2: “The Spirit of God was hovering over the waters,” indicating the presence of God bringing order and life.​ Rom 6:4	New members are baptized, confirmed, and receive their first communion, symbolizingtheir full initiation into the Church

 

 

THE GOSPEL ACCORDING TO LUKE

(Lesson 9 – June 4, 2025)

 

The Compassion of Jesus in the Gospel of Luke

 

“When the Lord saw her, his heart went out to her and he said, ‘Don’t cry’” – Lk 7:13

 

1. Compassion for the Marginalized (Lk 5: 12 - 16) Jesus heals a man with leprosy

 

Specimen: A leper, ostracized and alone, kneels in the dust. Jesus touches him — a gesture no one else would dare.

 

Reflection: Jesus’ touch breaks social barriers. Compassion means crossing boundaries to show love.

 

2. Compassion in Grief (Lk 7: 11 - 17) Raising the widow’s son at Nain

 

Specimen: A funeral procession pauses. Jesus stands before the grieving widow, his hand on the coffin, speaking life.

 

Reflection: Jesus sees hidden sorrow and acts from the depths of divine empathy. True compassion recognizes and responds to pain.

 

3. Compassion through Forgiveness (Lk 7: 36 - 50) A sinful woman anoints Jesus

 

Specimen: A woman weeps at Jesus’ feet, pouring perfume and tears. He lifts her face with words of forgiveness.

 

Reflection: Compassion welcomes sinners with mercy instead of judgment. Love leads to forgiveness.

 

4. Compassion in Teaching (Lk 10: 25 - 37) Parable of the Good Samaritan

 

Specimen: A Samaritan lifts a bleeding man onto his donkey, while religious figures walk by.

 

Reflection: Jesus teaches compassion as active mercy, helping even those we are taught to avoid.

 

5. Compassion for the Hungry (Lk 9: 10 -17) – Feeding the five thousand

 

Specimen: A vast crowd seated on green grass, children munching on bread and fish handed out by smiling disciples.

Reflection: Jesus meets physical needs with tenderness. Compassion provides care without expecting anything in return.

 

6. Compassion on the Cross (Lk 23: 39 - 43) Jesus and the repentant thief

 

Specimen: Amid agony, Jesus turns his bloodied face to the thief and promises paradise.

 

Reflection: Compassion isn’t halted by suffering — it continues even in death. Jesus’ heart remains open.

 

“TODAY” In LUKE and Theological, Spiritual Themes:

 

Lk 2:11 – “Today a Savior has been born to you...”

Lk 4:21 – “Today this Scripture is fulfilled in your hearing.”

Lk 5:26 – “We have seen strange things today.”

Lk 19:5, 9 – “Zacchaeus, come down immediately. I must stay at your house today... Today     salvation has come to this house.”

 

Immediacy of Salvation: Salvation is not only a future eschatological event but a present reality through Jesus.

 

Fulfillment of Prophecy: Jesus’ ministry is the fulfillment of the promises made in the Hebrew Scriptures.

 

Present Encounter with God: People encounter God today in the person of Jesus, in acts of healing, mercy, and forgiveness.

 

Call to Response: Since salvation is happening today, people are invited to respond now—there is an urgency to faith and repentance.

 

 

 

 

“Be merciful, just as your Father is merciful” (Lk 6:36)

 

The Gospel of Luke paints Jesus as the compassionate Savior — tender toward the weak, merciful to the sinful, and attentive to the suffering. His compassion is not abstract. It is embodied, expressed, and enacted.

The Gospel of Luke (Lesson 6 – Apl 15, 2025)

 

The Gospel of Luke

(Lesson 6 – Apl 15, 2025)

Passion Reading (Lk 22:1–23:56)

 

The Conspiracy against Jesus (Lk 22:1–6)

The chief priests and scribes plot to kill Jesus.

Judas agrees to betray Him for money.

 

Preparation for the Last Supper (Lk 22:7–38)

Jesus celebrates the Passover with His disciples. He institutes the Lord’s Supper, giving the bread and wine as His body and blood. He foretells His betrayal. He teaches them about servant leadership and foretells Peter’s denial.

 

19-20: Jesus gives new meaning to the Passover meal, offering Himself as the sacrificial Lamb. This sacrament invites believers to remember His death, celebrate His resurrection, and anticipate His return.

 

Jesus Prays on the Mount of Olives (Lk 22:39–46)

Jesus prays in anguish, asking the Father to remove the cup of suffering, yet submits to God's will. His sweat becomes like drops of blood. The disciples fall asleep.

 

The Agony in the Garden (Lk 22:39–46) “Father, if you are willing, take this cup from me; yet not my will, but yours be done.”

 

St. Ambrose: “He took upon Himself not only the death of humanity but also the sorrow of death, that He might sanctify our suffering by His own anguish.”

 

Reflection: Jesus' agony reveals both his true humanity and his perfect obedience. The Church Fathers emphasize that his struggle was real, but his submission to the Father was redemptive. When we wrestle in prayer, we are not alone—Christ has gone before us.

 

22:42: Jesus’ prayer in Gethsemane shows total submission to God’s will, even in the face of immense suffering. It’s a model for believers on surrendering our own will in trust and obedience.

 

The Arrest of Jesus (Lk 22:47–53) Judas betrays Jesus with a kiss. Jesus is arrested peacefully despite resistance. “Judas, are you betraying the Son of Man with a kiss?”

 

St. Cyril of Alexandria: “It was not ignorance but love that moved Christ to address Judas. He speaks with the pain of a wounded friend, not the wrath of a judge.”

 

Reflection: Jesus’ response to betrayal was not vengeance, but sorrowful compassion. The Fathers saw in this moment a profound teaching: even in betrayal, Jesus extends love. Are we willing to meet sin with grace?

 

Peter Denies Jesus (Lk 22:54–62) Peter denies knowing Jesus three times. He weeps bitterly when the rooster crows. “Before the rooster crows today, you will deny three times that you know me.”

 

St. Augustine: “Peter fell, not because he was weak, but because he trusted in his own strength. His tears are the baptism of a broken heart.”

 

Reflection: Peter’s denial and repentance remind us that even the greatest can fall—but also rise again through humility and tears. The Church Fathers often paired Peter's fall with his future leadership to emphasize God’s mercy and power to restore.

 

Jesus Is Mocked and Tried (Lk 22:63 – 23:25) Jesus is mocked and beaten.

He is brought before the Sanhedrin, then to Pilate, then Herod, and back to Pilate.

Though declared innocent, Jesus is sentenced to death due to the crowd’s pressure.

Barabbas is released instead of Jesus. “I find no basis for a charge against this man.”

 

Origen: “Pilate judges the Judge of all, but it is Christ who truly judges Pilate.”

 

Reflection: The silence and humility of Jesus before unjust rulers reveal a kingdom not of this world. The Fathers saw Christ’s trials as the defeat of pride and the exaltation of meekness.

 

The Crucifixion (Lk 23:26–49) Jesus is led to Golgotha, carrying His cross with help from Simon of Cyrene. He forgives those crucifying him: “Father, forgive them…”

Two criminals are crucified with Him. One repents and is promised paradise.

Darkness falls, the curtain of the temple tears, and Jesus dies, saying: “Father, into your hands I commit my spirit.”

 

St. John Chrysostom: “Even as He is nailed to the cross, He opens paradise. He gives more in death than others give in life.”

 

Reflection: The Fathers saw the cross not just as a place of suffering, but of victory. Jesus forgives, saves the repentant thief, and completes His mission. The cross becomes the new Tree of Life.

 

The Burial (Lk 23:50–56) Joseph of Arimathea takes Jesus’ body and lays it in a tomb.

The women prepare spices but rest on the Sabbath. “They took it down, wrapped it in linen cloth and placed it in a tomb cut in the rock.”

 

St. Ephrem the Syrian: “He who was laid in a tomb sanctified the grave, so that death would no longer be a prison, but a passage.”

 

Reflection: The burial of Jesus is not the end—it is a seed sown in the earth. The Fathers often used this imagery to show that from Christ’s death, new life springs forth.

 

 

Marcus Aurelius the great Roman Emperor and Stoic saint, used to say to himself every morning, “Today you will meet all kinds of unpleasant people; they will hurt you, and injure you, and insult you; but you cannot live like that; you know better, for you are a man in whom the spirit of God dwells.”