Saint Johns Bible 2013

Wednesday evening I went to Regis College at the Toronto School of Theology - at U of T for an event celebrating the reception of the 7th and Final Volume of the St. John’s Bible. I went with our youth who were trained to be page turners.

It was a Catholic Who’s Who - with Most Rev. Terrance Prendergast, the Archbishop of Ottawa, and Phil Horrigan, the president of the Catholic Lawyers Guild, and George & Gloria Allen - the donor's of the Heritage Edition of the Bible to Regis College.

There were 3 priests who talked about the Illuminations in both the Old Testament and New Testament. One said: 

There is no place where God’s Word is not present.

Even in darkest panels – there is a line of Gold or Platinum.
Here is an Example - from the Suffering Servant portion of Isaiah:

God is present in surprising ways in the Scripures today: the foreigner Naamann and the Samaritan who returns to thank the Lord.  God can also be present in surprising ways in our lives – in the darkest panels – God is alive:

• Even when our Spouse is unfaithful;
• Even when we have to Bury a child;
• Even when a friend suffers depression;
• or when a Child is addicted to drugs.

Having an Attitude of Gratitude – allows us to see that Gold or Platinum thread in the panels of our lives - the presence of God!

Each Sunday we come to encounter the Lord
The same God who healed Naamann – foreigner
Same Lord who healed the Samaritans
Here we are nourished – in Word and Sacrament
We receive communion – and are strengthened and sent forth
More important than what we get – is what we give
Not just little white envelope – though its important
What we give – is our praise and thanks.
Always & everywhere - during ups and downs
mourning and rejoicing Wedding & Funeral

This is our best way of giving Thanks the Eucharist – where we are joined to Christ & sent out to announce the hope of the Resurrection.  Thanks be to God!