THEOLOGICAL CLUE

Depending on the lectionary followed and the calendar year, the Nineteenth Sunday after Pentecost occurs near St. Luke's Day (October 18th). St. Luke's Day is a celebration of the gospel, as well as a day of remembrance for the evangelist. As such, it reinforces the theology of the church year which has been shaped by the gospel of the Lord. It is the second half of the church year, in particular, which needs reinforcement by the gospel of the risen Lord, inasmuch as there are fewer theological clues than there are in the first half, or Christ's half, of the calendar. The cycles and seasons of the first semester of the year articulate the life and ministry of Jesus from a kerygmatic perspective; they are given birth and shape by the redeeming events in Jesus' life. Jesus'…