Ecclesiastes Frontispiece, Donald Jackson, Copyright 2006, The Saint John’s Bible, Saint John’s University, Collegeville, Minnesota USA. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
See also this post: Ecclesiastes Frontispiece. Artist: Donald Jackson, with contributions by Chris Tomlin (9/18/2013).
Praise of Wisdom, Suzanne Moore, Copyright 2006, The Saint John’s Bible, Saint John’s University, Collegeville, Minnesota USA. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
Wisdom Woman, Donald Jackson, Copyright 2006, The Saint John’s Bible, Saint John’s University, Collegeville, Minnesota USA. Used by permission. All rights reserved. See also this previous post —
During the Fall 2021 semester, the Clark Library and Campus Ministry are collaborating to change pages of The Saint John’s Bible. Each week someone from these campus units will select a new page for the display. Check back to see what’s new!
This week’s image is Pillars of Wisdom, Donald Jackson, Copyright 2006, The Saint John’s Bible, Saint John’s University, Collegeville, Minnesota USA. Used by permission. All rights reserved. See also this Saint John’s Bible blog post from 2013.
The Clark Library is proud to exhibit a Heritage Edition of The Saint John’s Bible, the first completely handwritten and illuminated Bible to have been commissioned by a Benedictine Abbey since the invention of the printing press. The Heritage Edition uses special ink, paper, and printing techniques to replicate the original Saint John’s Bible. Only 299 Heritage Editions were produced, and ours was the first complete set in the state of Oregon. Many thanks to Allen and Kathie Lund and Family, who donated the Bible to the University.
One of the most memorable quotes when I think of the birth of Jesus is “Christ was born in an animal trough to be food for the world.” I don’t remember who exactly said this, but it was a part of a sermon I heard at a midnight mass.
Even though we are in this season of preparation, we know looking at this image that Christ is born. Ponder this image of the Birth of Jesus and realize that God became flesh, partaking in our own humanity. Jesus Christ was born into this world, between an ox and a donkey, laid upon the hay on which they fed.
Darkness spreads throughout the page while the middle is a solid gold strip. As we gaze on this gold strip let us remember that even though Christ partakes in our humanity, he still is divine. As Mary, Joseph, the angels, and Shepherds gather around the animal trough where the invisible God lies vulnerable, let us remind ourselves of the love that brings our family together this Christmas and holiday season. If a person has truly entered into this Christmas or Holiday season, they are aware that we do not live in a world of perfect harmony. Our world is dark, broken, and many times unfair, especially to the most vulnerable among us. No matter how dark our lives may become, no matter how hectic the storms in our life can get, or no matter how empty we may feel, it is this love that we can count on, knowing that it is born in the deepest abyss of our hearts. Let the love which we receive and share motivate us to continue to love at all times, making the birth of Jesus visible for others.
This commentary was contributed by James Gumataotao, a senior Theology major and a member of the Library’s Research Desk team.
As we continue to venture into this time of preparation for the coming of the Messiah, we must understand the invitation this season offers. In this image titled the Baptism of Jesus, we see that the focus of this image is not Jesus but John the Baptist. Sink writes “Notice his hands and his feet. He moves, and he gestures in invitation, even as he looks back.” (Sink Vol. 1, pg. 62)
Here the figure of John the Baptist invites us into this season of hope. John preached the coming of the Kingdom of God; this is the message he was given to proclaim. The image reminds us of the message we are also called to proclaim: The message of hope! Hope for all people in our world. How do we proclaim this message? To proclaim this message of hope, we must be hope for others, through our words and actions standing by the side of those who are alone in their suffering.
As this season of preparation continues and we ready our hearts and homes to be in the spirt of the season, we must also remember that the hope we celebrate is not meant just for us to keep. This hope is meant for us to give, just like the message which John proclaimed. Yet, this image is also a reminder for us that in this time of preparation, we must remind ourselves of the hope that lies within us.
The “Baptism of Jesus” illumination will be featured in a Visio Divina session on Wednesday, December 7, at 12:45 p.m. in the Chapel of Christ the Teacher. This Advent prayer opportunity is sponsored by Campus Ministry and the Garaventa Center.
This commentary was contributed by James Gumataotao, a senior Theology major and a member of the Library’s Research Desk team.
(Isaiah 7:14-17; Isaiah 9:1-2, 6-7; Isaiah 11:1-9)
This picture along with the title Messianic Predictions gives the observer the popular view of the Messiah prior to and during the time of Jesus. The Messiah was predicted to be a great king and mighty warrior who would restore God’s people to their righteous place. As we look at this image let us focus on the different movements and pay attention to the way it moves from dark colors to bright and vibrant colors, expressing the Messiah’s predicted powers.
As some of us enter into this season of advent or preparation towards Christmas, this image reminds us that the Messiah comes into a busy and constantly moving world, a world made of different people coming from all different walks of life, people with different stories to tell. The busyness of this image could also represent our lives, especially during this season where our schedules may not allow us time to enter and be present in the moment. The colors moving from dark to light remind us of the hope which the Messiah brings. The Messiah comes to restore life to the darkness in world and in our lives.
At the bottom of this image is written Immanuel, or “God with us.” As we prepare ourselves to welcome the Messiah, let us be living predictions of the Messiah for others. Let us be more present and aware to others, especially those who seem to be forgotten or unwanted. It is through our being present with others in their darkness, that they can recognize the life to which they are called. It is through actions like this that one can recognize Immanuel. Once we can recognize that God is truly with us, we in turn can go forth bringing that same hope, that same love, and that same peace to those who cry out each night “Maranatha,” frequently translated as “Come, Lord!”
The “Messianic Predictions” illumination will be featured in a Visio Divina session on Wednesday, November 30, at 12:45 p.m. in the Chapel of Christ the Teacher. This Advent prayer opportunity is sponsored by Campus Ministry and the Garaventa Center.
This commentary was contributed by James Gumataotao, a senior Theology major and a member of the Library’s Research Desk team.