The Salvific-Historical Method of the Gospel of Luke
In his account of the Gospel, Luke gives particular prominence to the action of the Spirit. Beginning from a setting in which the work of salvation was confined to Israel, he traces its extension to all other peoples through the Holy Spirit, manifested above all after the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ.
The full outpouring of the Spirit upon the apostles after the ascension is thus made plain, inaugurating the age of the Church and extending the plan of salvation to the Gentiles as well. What Luke portrays in his narrative — in a manner at once historical, biographical, and richly detailed — is Christ Jesus as the awaited Messiah and, following His redemptive sacrifice, the fulfillment of the purpose of the ekklesia, beginning with the disciples soon after they were clothed with power from on high.
Careful attention to the poor and the needy is another dominant concern of the narrative. Luke also stresses the danger that material wealth poses, since it can draw a person away from the Kingdom of God. The lesson is that one should depend on Him entirely, becoming like the poor and setting aside every form of self-sufficiency.
Even so, the work of salvation is offered to all, without distinction of class, gender, or social standing. Everything turns on how each person responds to it. From the moment the individual answers the call affirmatively, a progressive work in the spiritual life begins.
It follows that the action of the Holy Spirit is the most prominent theme of the Gospel as Luke reports it. Since the physician-historian gives such sustained attention to the work of the Spirit in the missionary task, and above all among the poorest and neediest, the kerygma must be accompanied by compassionate action and the practice of love. Only so will its bearers become true witnesses of Christ.
