Words of Light and Hope from Helena Crockford LLM
Words of Light and Hope 27 th October 2024 Helena Crockford LLM
This Sunday is Bible Sunday, ‘a day set aside in the church calendar to celebrate the continuing impact the Bible has on individuals and communities through which God speaks so powerfully into our lives. The Bible makes clear that trouble comes to each one of us. But it is equally clear that God makes a difference in the midst of our troubles, and that His presence and power transform our lives in troubled times. So if we find ourselves in trouble today, God, as ever, has a word for us from his living word, the Bible, that will transform our lives. (Scottish Bible Society). It was only following the Reformation in the 16 th century that Bibles were translated into the vernacular language of that land.
Malcolm Guite’s poem ‘The Lectern’ celebrates this: Some rise on eagles’ wings, this one is plain, Plain English workmanship in solid oak. Age gracefully, it says, go with the grain. You walk towards an always open book, Open as every life to every light, Open to shade and shadow, day and night, The changeless witness of your changing pain. Be still, the lectern says, stand here and read. Here are your mysteries, your love and fear, And, running through them all, the slender thread Of God’s strange grace, red as these ribbons, red As you own blood when reading reads you here And pierces joint and marrow…So you stand, The lectern still beneath your trembling hand.
The Scottish Bible Society shares this testimony from Martina in Argentina. ‘Martina had the anguish of seeing her home ravaged by floods. Yet, amidst the chaos, she found great solace and comfort in the pages of the newly translated New Testament in her native West Toba language. Martina’s heart lifted as she turned each page, feeling a sense of peace and hope wash over her. Her Bible became her constant companion, guiding her through life’s darkest valleys and highest peaks. Through its teachings, Martina found the strength to forgive, to love and to persevere. ‘Before, I had the Bible in Spanish, but I didn’t understand it. The New Testament gives me peace and joy when I read it. I feel it is a companion to me. I am a new Martina because of the New Testament in my language’
Bishop Tony Foottit, in his book ‘A calendar of Wild Flowers’ writes about the autumn flower Orpine or Sedum (p.93), to represent the saints’ day on 28 th October of St Simon who represents zeal, and St Jude who represents patience. ‘The Bible is often a source of conflict, usually between a literal zealous interpretation and a more liberal, patient understanding. Simon & Jude – zeal and patience – we need them both but especially patience as we seek to help establish Jesus’ everlasting kingdom and peace in our conflict-ridden world.’
