Reading the scriptures in the comfort of the Western world, from a comfortable position of a Western life, means that sometimes, the word of God becomes just words.

Reading the scriptures from beyond the back of beyond, where creature comforts are lacking and life is threatened on a daily basis gives whole new meanings to the word of God.

Life here is much the same as it was in the days when Jesus walked the earth. We drink river water. We eat basic food. We cook over charcoal fires. We bed down with the animals. Everything is basic.

And in that basic-ness, the word of God comes alive in whole new ways, piercing my soul and giving me new insights into what Jesus meant and why he acted as he did.

The scriptures are timeless, yes; but here, they are alive and active and sharp, so sharp that some days, I feel pierced. Everything Jesus said takes on new meaning, because I am so much closer to seeing it through the eyes and hearing it with the ears of those who actually saw and heard him in the flesh.

PRAY for the Diocese of Albany (Province II, USA)

Ps 20, 21:1-7(8-14) * 110:1-5 (6-7), 116, 117; Genesis 6:9-22; John 2:13-22