Catechetical Newsletter

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Preparing for Year C—the Lessons of Luke
by Mary Beth Jambor

For most of my years in ministry, one of my responsibilities was to help teenagers come to a better understanding and appreciation Scripture. As important and inspiring as this task was, it was never very easy, until it came time to teach about the Gospel of Luke. Luke is known as the great storyteller who paints with words. His stories include interesting people and parables. With some carefully crafted questions, nearly all teenagers could be easily drawn into a discussion on the Parable of the Prodigal Son or the story of Zacchaeus. If that didn’t work, fortunately, I could turn to primetime television for a hook. I’d show a video clip of Linus proclaiming the Gospel of Luke center stage during A Charlie Brown Christmas.

On November 29, we begin a new liturgical year—Year C. Throughout Year C, the stories of Jesus and the disciples are told by Luke. As we prepare for Year C, we need to be sure that we do not miss some key themes presented in Luke that offer important messages for us today:
Luke portrays Jesus as an excellent and patient teacher whose greatest concern is the unfortunate—the poor, the hungry, the sorrowful, all of whom are blessed. Today we continue to proclaim this message in our Catholic social teaching.

Luke included important stories about many women in his Gospel and they have important roles. Since women were usually left out of historical writings of this time, this is very significant. Today, in the spirit of Luke, we need to be certain to include women’s important contributions in our historical writings and to not relegate them to particular roles.

Jesus’ primary message in Luke’s Gospel is that God forgives repentant sinners. God’s forgiveness is for everyone. All we need to do is ask and repent. Jesus also preaches forgiveness and love of our enemies. Today, we live in a culture that appears to grow more individualistic and violent each day. Ironically, some of the most disrespectful and rabid people in our society are our own government and business leaders. The simple, yet difficult to live, message of forgiveness may be more important now than ever.

Above all, Luke’s Jesus came to found the Church, and instrument of salvation in his name. The Church serves as Jesus’ surrogate until he can return. Therefore, Luke reminds all of us to continue Jesus’ saving work in the world today.

Here are some ways we might prepare for Year C:
Read commentaries on Luke.
Review the Church’s liturgical cycles and look over the readings for Year C.
Gather with a group to proclaim, listen to, reflect upon, and share Luke’s Gospel.
Choose one way you will put the Gospel into action in your life and in your community.

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