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.
(John 20: 1-23)
Death has lost the battle because Christ has risen victoriously. In this image of Jesus’ resurrection we find that Jesus is not the main focal point. Mary Magdalene, who was the first to receive the message of the resurrection, is highlighted. Another important detail to discover is that instead of seeing the face of Christ, his back is turned towards us. These two details bring up important messages of the resurrection. Just as Mary is highlighted in the image, we can come to know that the resurrection is not only proclaimed in Jesus Christ, but also in us. As believers we behold the glory of the resurrection in our words and actions. Going back to the words of John Paull II, “Do not abandon yourselves to despair. We are the Easter people and hallelujah is our song.” We are called to bring this message of hope, love, and forgiveness to all people.
As graduation approaches, how can this message of Easter speak to us? We can be reminded of the hope we are given because of the resurrection. So often we succumb to the tomb of our sins, or our heart has become so hardened and sealed with complacency. Christ comes to give new life; a life of joy. Even though many uncertainties lie ahead of us, we are assured that we are called to more. We are also reminded to continue to be a people of hope. Bringing hope of new life to those who feel dead, to those who have lost their way, and to those who find themselves on the margins in our society.
This commentary was contributed by James Gumataotao, a senior Theology major and a member of the Library’s Research Desk team.
(Ezekiel 37:1-14)
The Valley of the Dry Bones offers perspective as we continue to delve deeper into our season of Lent. For Catholics, and other Christians who celebrate this solemn season, fasting, prayer, and service are three major pillars. For many, living out these pillars is not an easy task. There are many temptations and struggles, but these practices are not made to make us suffer. They help us every day to learn more about who we are, and what has become “gods” in our lives.
This image comes at a perfect time, a time when in our journey we can feel dry and empty, like all our sacrifices are useless or the struggle has become too hard. One can also realize how dead we have become, falling into ways where we are not necessarily living our true authentic self. The bright colors that run across the top represent hope. Hope in the struggles and trials of our own realities, a hope that goes beyond death. Along with the golden squares throughout the image, these represent the presence of our creator God. One can also see that even among the dry bones we find these squares; not only does God have power over death but, even in death God is present. Let this image remind us of the call that echoes not only through these days of Lent, but every day. A call to be a people of hope, bringing this hope to everyone we meet, especially the poor and marginalized in our society. A call to be present to one another, even in the midst of death.
This commentary was contributed by James Gumataotao, a senior Theology major and a member of the Library’s Research Desk team.
(Luke 7: 36-50)
Jesus’ encounter with the sinner in the Gospel of Luke calls us to look beyond the words we read and hear. As one gazes upon this image it is easy to get lost, forgetting facts that give this story its richness. Biblical scholar Joseph Fitzmyer points out that:
“This scene is one of great episodes in the Lucan Gospel, for it depicts Jesus not merely defending a sinful woman against the criticism of a Pharisee, but drives home in a special way the relationship between the forgiveness of sins (by God) and the place of human love and the giving of oneself in that whole process.”[1]
When we look upon this image it is easy to see that the image is divided into two. On one side, we have the woman as the “sinner.” This side is chaotic, unorganized, and unfocused. On the other, we see tidiness and clearly rendered objects. Some argue that this image is a depiction of an encounter with the unholy and the holy. The words of Christ appear in the middle and mediates between the two sides. One could argue that Christ in this event radically changes the status of women in this society. Instead of preaching forgiveness, some scholars argue Christ comes to preach restoration. Rather than rejection of sinners, Jesus shows inclusive hospitality. He restores the woman back to community, as he releases her from rejection and oppression. As Jennifer English writes:
“Once again our failure to understand Jesus’ words results in our inability to see. Jesus does not call his disciples only to an attitude of service or the ideal of humility; he calls them to service that actually stoops down to help another and humility that is embodied and expressed relationally.”[2]
[1] Joseph Fitzmyer, The Gospel According to Luke: Introduction, Translation, and Notes (Garden City, NY: Doubleday, 1981), 686.
[2] Jennifer A. English, “Which Woman? Reimagining the Woman Who Anoints Jesus in Luke 7:36-50,” Currents in Theology and Mission 39, no. 6 (2012): 435-441.
This commentary was contributed by James Gumataotao, a senior Theology major and a member of the Library’s Research Desk team.