Hopefully, this month has offered that same fresh feel that the new year brings, coaxing us into a time of possibility. More than likely, at this late date, some of the newness is wearing off. At least we can collectively exhale, if for no other reason than having made it through 2020. Congratulations!

Good News

I had the privilege of starting the year with an (online) Epiphany retreat. There were folks from all over the country–and the world. One of the benefits of an event that takes place on Zoom is that gatherings that might have been limited by geography or scheduling, can now be attended by a wide array of people. One of the fruits of this gathering was a strong sense of encouragement to dig into Scripture this year. The word gospel translates as ‘good news,’ beginning the year with a book from the Gospels seemed like an obvious choice.

Around the same time, I discovered KINDRED’s Gospel of Mark. Perfect timing for Liturgical year B where the Gospel readings at Mass all come from St. Mark.

Accessible

I have learned that KINDRED’s mission is to make Scripture readily accessible to everyone to ‘Encourage more acts of faith.’ They rightly note that attempting to read the Bible can be a discouraging task because the Bible is many, many books (the number varies, depending on the translation) all put together, resembling more of a library than a chronological telling of our faith story.

This is also why Pope Francis instituted a day celebrating ‘Word of God Sunday‘ as we return to ordinary time. Catholics have not always been known for their familiarity with sacred Scripture, but Pope Francis encourages the faithful to dive in particularly because the Word is so widely available in our present age. St. Jerome, famous for translating most of the Bible into Latin, reminds us that “Those who are ignorant of Scripture, are ignorant of Christ.” So let us dig in!

New Eyes

To invite further exploration of Scripture one book at a time, KINDRED has begun publishing beautiful, contemporary books with gorgeous photography. It is an entirely new presentation of Biblical texts. It almost has the feel of curling up with a new version of an old favorite while feasting with my eyes and heart. Of course, it is the same story–but experienced with new eyes. As someone who has fallen in love with Visio Divina and visual illumination of the Word, it is probably no surprise that having a text that is also visual is a powerful experience. 

This sort of Scriptural presentation lends itself to further study of individual books, a special edition of a favorite book of the Bible, Bible studies with groups, or an awesome resource collection for home faith study. Aside from relatively recent journaling style Bibles, in general, Bible presentation has been pretty uniform for a long time. The Bibles we find in hotel rooms are not wildly different from those we reference at home–give or take a concordance. 

Your Invitation

If my stats are correct, the number one podcast in America this week is Bible in a Year with Fr. Mike Schmitz. This news is so heartening! There is a hunger for good news–the Good News! If this invitation speaks to you, consider making a plan to be immersed in the Word this year. If you decide to, I would love to hear where you decide to begin and what it yields for you.

*KINDRED is currently offering 10% off online purchases with promo code: WORSHIP

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Recently a paper-clipped envelope headed for the bank on my morning errands, was misplaced. This brought on a bit of a panic into our little abode. Checking diligently in all of the places it might have been, I tore our house apart doing my best to think logically, remain clear-headed, and introduce the St. Anthony prayer to our little ladies (‘Tony, Tony, turn around, something’s lost that must be found’). I did find it, eventually (in our collection of library books). *Cue exasperated sigh of relief/frustration/humor.

Ironically, I remember thinking of the parable of the lost coin–in this season of parables–the man who bought the field, the merchant who sold all he had for the pearl of great price. The only explanation in my book for this eccentric behavior was that the woman must have been crazy. Who throws a party for said lost funds after freaking out in an effort to find them? I don’t know about you, but the last thing I want to do after losing my mind over anything–no matter how trivial–is have a bunch of people over. 

Unless…

Unless the thing that was unearthed was not only the coin, but a new understanding of the lost thing and my attachment to it. Maybe the field owner and the merchant aren’t crazy after all, satisfied with wisdom to see past what meets the eye. Maybe the frantic woman searching for her coin actually found more than she lost. If that’s true, you could make a good case for celebrating with abandon or purchasing the very field where the pearl of great price is secured, retiring from a career as a merchant who has made a life out of watching things come and go.

Ample opportunities

These ordinary pearls are strewn generously throughout our daily encounters–after all, what are pearls but bits of sand and (more often) parasites that have grown so irritating inside the shell of an oyster that the oyster covers and re-covers it until it is smooth:

The near collision at an intersection, the MRI that provided an evaluation of a current health risk, forgiveness between friends, the way parents linger by the bedside of their sleeping children. Seen with this wisdom, we might recognize a second chance rather than a jerk with road rage, a head start on a diagnosis rather than a poor prognosis, reconciliation rather than rift, gratitude in addition to exhaustion…each of these scenarios are pearls of the kind Jesus described as well as the wisdom Solomon was gifted.

That we all might be collectors and wearers of pearls.

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I was thinking about Epiphany on Friday morning, cautiously driving along icy roads, and it hit me. Not any major insight, but another car. It shook me out of my head and into the cold morning air to assess damages and exchange insurance information and quiet frightened children. In a way, this unexpected interruption circumnavigated the dread of my nearing appointment and had me sitting on the side of the road, grateful instead for the health, mobility and grace to continue on my day as planned rather than any imaginable alternative.

And that’s what epiphanies do, don’t they? Momentarily turn our world onto its head just enough that we can see it with clarity for what it really is.

Experiences of Grace

Funny how my ears always perk up a little bit when I hear someone describing an epiphany–an ‘aha moment’–when what had previously been unknown is suddenly obvious, and all it took was a ordinary every day miracle to reveal it. It is not a word (or an occurrence) to be taken lightly.  Personally I save this word for the most spectacular of realizations when I can literally feel the scales falling off my own eyes: A street corner encounter, revelation by my own children, an experience of undeniable grace.

***

One of my earliest memories of the magi are three candlestick holders that my great aunt Judy made–regal, exotic and mysterious, bearded bearers of gifts for the Christ child in vibrant reds, oranges and golds. I haven’t seen them in ages, but I can conjure them up instantly.  They left an impression on me and they still do. These silent three kings/wise men/star-gazers are included in every nativity set, and Christmas celebration I can recall. They are an important reminder to me to continue seeking, even in  –especially in what I expect to be ordinary.

Wild Hope
 
Gracious God
make me a seeker
of far-off things,
long-awaited things. 
Find me steadfastly following,
even in the darkness
clinging to wild hope for an encounter with you--
unbelievable and brief as it might be.
 
Should I receive such grace, 
I pray that you find me with heart out poured,
strengthened to continue on
carrying in a new way
your gift of presence with me.
 
Amen.

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