The Gospel of Luke
English Standard Version
Fr John Hemer MHM (Introduction)
ISBN 9781784698096
CTS Booklet SC131
Larger Print Edition
ISBN 9781784698133
CTS Booklet SC135
This was the third of the standalone gospels I have read from the new English Standard Version translation; which was introduced as the new lectionary edition at the beginning of Advent 2024 in England, Scotland and Wales. I have read a few volumes about the new lectionary and eagerly awaited these new Gospel booklets. I have decided to read a chapter of the gospels a day for the year, and will alternate the ESV editions just released and the older Jerusalem Bible editions I have read a few times over the years. By reading 1 chapter a day you will complete the 4 gospels 4 times and have time to start again.
I love the books and booklets from the Catholic Truth Society. Over the last 7 years I have read over 400 books and booklets from the CTS. And have many on my ‘to be read’ list. The description of this volume is:
“St Luke is believed to have been a physician and a companion of St Paul as well as the author of the Acts of the Apostles. His Gospel is particularly known for the attention he gives to the birth of Jesus and his early life. From these stories the Church takes the great liturgical prayers of the Magnificat and the Benedictus.
This special edition of the Gospel of Luke, with an introduction by Fr John Hemer MHM, is published to mark the introduction of the ESV-CE translation in new the Catholic lectionary for England, Scotland and Wales. This book allows the reader to read and contemplate the words of the Gospel precisely as it is proclaimed at Mass in Year C of the lectionary cycle.”
This volume and the gospel of John has an introduction by Fr John Hemer MHM, about him we are informed:
“Fr John Herner is a Mill Hill missionary priest. He comes from Liverpool and was ordained in 1983. He has done missionary work in Pakistan, Kenya and Uganda. At present he is a lecturer and member of the formation staff at Allen Hall seminary in Chelsea, London.”
I highlighted a few passages from the introduction, some of them are:
“The first paragraph of St Luke's Gospel is the longest sentence in the whole New Testament and one of the most difficult to translate from the original Greek.”
“And if we boil down that first sentence into a few words, basically Luke is saying, ''I've done my homework, and this is what I've come up with." In other words, Luke tells us that his gospel, which the Church rightly considers a sacred text, is the product of reasoned enquiry, of research and of a degree of human ingenuity.”
“Luke is often called the gospel of mercy. He has so much to say about God's mercy; at the heart of the gospel we find three great stories of mercy - the Lost Sheep, the Lost Coin and the Lost Son, and then a quirky parable about the strange ways in which God's mercy sometimes works, the Dishonest Steward.”
“So, according to Luke, this idea that the Old Testament pointed to Jesus and that it was fulfilled in him was not something cooked up by his disciples after the crucifixion, it's the opinion of Jesus himself. Jesus expresses the same thing also in John chapter 5.”
I love the little booklet format from the CTS. I love this new English Standard Version booklet as well the older Jerusalem Bible Edition. Historically the Jerusalem Bible is my favourite for just sitting and reading. Maybe because it was the one I was given in school during first communion prep, or because it was the first I read from cover to cover. But I am giving this new translation a fair chance and plan to read these gospel booklets and the whole bible this year. This booklet and the others and the Larger Print counterpart are excellent resources. I recommend them to you.
My son who is 16 has and asked for a set of these little booklets, for his own. I also picked up a complete bible in the ESV-CE edition for my youngest two children and myself. It is an excellent resource from the Catholic Truth Society! It is great to pick up and read or to pass on to a friend, or to keep on hand to be able to give away. I love these little booklets of the gospels from the CTS and look forward to reading the last remaining volume in the collection. I can easily recommend this booklet edition of the Gospel of Luke!
Note: This book is part of a series of reviews: 2025 Catholic Reading Plan! For other reviews of books from the Catholic Truth Society click here.
For all books in the CTS Scriptures Series click here.
Books in the CTS Scriptures Series:
The CTS New Catholic Bible - Jerusalem Bible
The Gospel of Matthew - English Standard Version
The Gospel of Mark - English Standard Version
The Gospel of Luke - English Standard Version
The Gospel of John - English Standard Version
…
CTS Resources for the New Lectionary:
Ministering the Word of God - Father Allen Morris - CTS Books
Hearing Christ’s Voice A New Lectionary for the Church - Bishop Hugh Gilbert, OSB
The Word is Very Near to You - Father Allen Morris
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