The Ignatius Catholic Study Bible New Testament by Scott Hahn

OT, portraying Jesus as the Savior of God's Old Covenant people. He shows us, among other things, that Jesus came to initiate the restoration of Israel foretold by the prophets (Is 11:10-12; 49:6; Ezek 39:25-29). He thus depicts Jesus as the royal Messiah who comes in the line and legacy of King David to reunite the scattered tribes of Israel by gathering them into his kingdom (1:33, 68; 22:28-30). This theme stands behind the Gospel's numerous references to "Israel" (1:54, 68, 80; 2:32; 24:21) and the positive light it throws on the descendants of the northern Israelites, the Samaritans (10:33; 17:16; Acts 8:14). (2) Salvation of the Nations. The forgiveness that Jesus extends to Israel also reaches the Gentiles, making the family of the New Covenant international in scope. Simeon calls Jesus "a light for revelation to the Gentiles" (2:32), while John the Baptist uses the words of Isaiah to announce that "all flesh" can now look to Christ for salvation (3:6). It is especially the closing notes of the Gospel that ring out this theme, where Jesus tells the apostles that forgiveness must be carried from Jerusalem "to all nations" (24:47). (3) Salvation of the Lowly. Jesus' message for Israel and the nations is also for the outcasts, the poor, and the disreputable among them. Luke preserves a number of powerful statements about God's concern for the lowly and oppressed (1:52-53; 4:18; 6:20-26; 14:711). Women in particular are showcased throughout this Gospel, despite their otherwise low social standing in antiquity. Luke's portrayal of the Virgin Mary is simply unparalleled in the NT for its beauty and sensitivity (1:26-56; 2:19, 51). Other women, too, play leading roles in the story: Elizabeth (1:39-45), Anna (2:36-38), the widow of Nain (7:11-17), the sinful woman (7:36-50), Mary Magdalene (8:2), Joanna (8:3), Susanna (8:3), Mary and Martha of Bethany (10:38-42), and the woman with a spirit of infirmity (13:10-17). Women also figure in Jesus' parables of the Lost Coin (15:8-10) and the Unrighteous Judge (18:1-8).
    Other memorable features include Luke's unique contributions to the Gospel tradition. For Luke alone recounts the parables of the Good Samaritan (10:25-37) and the Prodigal Son (15:1132). Luke alone tells us of Gabriel's Annunciation to Mary (1:26-38), Jesus' boyhood experience in the Temple (2:41-51), and the details of his Ascension into glory (24:50-53). And only Luke has preserved some of the Church's most beautiful hymns, such as Mary's Magnificat (1:46-55), Zech-ariah's Benedictus (1:68-79), Simeon's Nunc Dimittis (2:29-35), and the Gloria sung by the angels on Christmas night (2:14).
    There can be little doubt that Luke has bequeathed to us an artistic and spiritual masterpiece. This is no less true of his second volume, the Acts of the Apostles. Together these writings give clear and convincing witness to the greatness of Jesus Christ as he continues his worldwide mission of salvation through the Church. «

THE GOSPEL ACCORDING TO



Mary, Ark of the Covenant
    Luke's Gospel tells us more about the Mother of Jesus than any other book in the New Testament. Most of this information is packed within his first two chapters, where Luke strings together some of the most beautiful traditions we have about her life and mission. The deeper we delve into Luke's narrative, the more we appreciate the way in which Luke tells us the story of Mary. One example of this is found in the story of the Visitation. On one level, it tells of a joyous encounter between two expectant mothers; on another, it recalls memorable stories told in the Old Testament about the Ark of the Covenant. By alluding to these ancient traditions, Luke expands the vision of the careful reader considerably. For he leads us to see Mary as the Ark of God's New Covenant and implies that the sacred Ark of the Old Covenant merely prefigured a more wonderful Ark to come: the Mother of the divine Messiah.
    One tradition that Luke draws upon is from 2 Samuel. He