St Luke is the author of both a Gospel, where he includes many of the stories of Jesus including the parable of the Good Samaritan, and the Acts of the Apostles, which tell the tales of Luke’s ministry. Luke is someone who loved the poor, who wanted the door to God's kingdom, opened to all, who respected women and who saw hope in God's mercy for everyone. He is often shown with an ox or a calf because these are the symbols of sacrifice, the sacrifice Jesus made for the entire world
It is believed that he was born a Greek and a Gentile, who soon became a doctor; but many scholars have argued that Luke might have been born a slave as at this time it was not uncommon for families to educate slaves in medicine so that they would have a resident family physician.
Luke first joined Paul's company at Troas at about the year 51 and accompanied him into Macedonia where they traveled first to Samothrace, Neapolis, and finally Philippi.
Luke is the loyal comrade who stays with Paul even when he is imprisoned in Rome about the year 61 and after everyone else deserts Paul in his final imprisonment and sufferings; it is also Luke who remains with Paul to the end.
Luke's inspiration and information for his Gospel and Acts came from his close association with Paul and his companions as he explains in his introduction to the Gospel. Luke's unique perspective on Jesus can be seen in the six miracles and eighteen parables not found in the other gospels. Luke's is the gospel of the poor and of social justice. He is the