I'm not sure I've ever thanked God for the specific writers he empowered to pen his revelation. I've thanked him for the Bible as a whole, but I've never thanked him for Moses or Solomon or Matthew or Luke. I suppose I should start doing that from time to time! My conviction on the matter only deepens when I consider that I've thanked God for Frederick Buechner and John Stott—even Graham Greene and, yes, John Irving (don't worry—it wasn't for all of his books).

And so I must thank God for Luke. God empowered the good doctor "to draw up an account of the things that have been fulfilled among us." After careful investigation he produced two books that comprise over 20 percent of the New Testament—a stunning gospel account and the birth narrative of the church. I'm also thankful that the good doctor was a faithful missionary. Who knows just how different the world would look if Luke hadn't answered Paul's call to travel across the ancient world. There would certainly be variances in our little corners of the world. Not only did Luke give us a gospel and an ecclesial history to preach, he helped shape our audience, having played a critical role in the missional trajectory outlined in Acts 1:8.

Thank you, Lord, indeed.

Once I'd done a little reflection, I couldn't help but offer the written prayer Tickle suggests with a little more passion than I had first expected:

Almighty God, who inspired your servant Luke the physician to set forth in the Gospel the love and healing power of your Son: Graciously continue in your Church this love and power to heal, to the praise and glory of your Name; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.

Despite the thoughts I've shared in this post, perhaps you'll still feel a little odd about praying a word of thanks for Luke. After all, we evangelical types are often a bit skittish about more Catholic matters ("Won't giving thanks for Luke seem a little too Saint-ish?"). I hope you can push beyond that manner of thinking and manage to whisper a brief word of thanks in whatever quiet time you have in the days ahead. If not, however, I did think of something else you might want to do as a preacher in light of the global remembrance of Luke. Perhaps you can help shape a meaningful Communion time that is driven by Lucan themes and texts. As you've spent time in Luke's gospel account (and even Acts—check out the early chapters), I'm sure you've seen the prominent role tables play. If not, take another look. Tables are everywhere. The climax of Luke's table theology is found at the Lord's Supper—a climax echoed in the remarkable moment the two on the road to Emmaus experience when later breaking bread with Christ. The tables are all the more beautiful when you consider that the seats are filled with those who really don't belong but by the grace of Christ. Few authors capture the beauty of that more than Luke (perhaps most beautifully in the Parable of the Prodigal Son). Consider celebrating this rich theme of Luke while you all gather 'round the Table once more.

Just a few simple thoughts on this Thursday afternoon. I'll be back tomorrow with the weekly pop culture roundup.