Throughout his Gospel, Luke shows us Jesus praying. Jesus prays before he calls his disciples, before asking them who he is, at the time of his transfiguration, before teaching his disciples how to pray, on the night of his arrest, and at his death.

For Luke, what is characteristic of Jesus will also be characteristic of the church. In the Acts of the Apostles, Luke shows us the church in prayer as they wait for the promised coming of the Holy Spirit. And after the promised Spirit comes upon them at Pentecost (with wind and fire!), they continue the regular practice of prayer. What is begun in baptism is lived out through the practice of prayer by which one receives the Holy Spirit.

Just as Jesus was empowered for and guided in his ministry through prayer, so too are his followers, down to this day.

in Feasting on the Word, Year C