The Book of Kells

Through [Christ] you have come to trust in God, who raised him from the dead and gave him glory, so that your faith and hope are set on God. Now that you have purified your souls by your obedience to the truth so that you have genuine mutual love, love one another deeply from the heart. You have been born anew, not of perishable but of imperishable seed, through the living and enduring word of God. - 1 Peter 1:21-23

When we took a city break in Dublin, we weren't entirely sure of what we planned on seeing. At the top of almost every list is a visit to the Book of Kells, an illuminated manuscript from around 800 AD that is housed at Trinity College in Dublin. Being a fan of old books and interested in seeing something so reputedly gorgeous, I was sold. Granted, you can't exactly see the entire book. The four transcribed gospels and their corresponding illustrations are housed in two very fragile volumes, and on display at any given time are only one page out of each volume. Nonetheless, simply being to observe such a book is quite a gift.

Before seeing the book, you spend time in an exhibit that teaches you about the process and artistry of creating illuminated manuscripts at the time. Considering how much work went into putting the book together - everything from stretching the vellum to copying the text - it's almost amazing there were any books around at all. But the care with which these gospels were obviously reproduced and the fact that they have survived to this day are just an example and reminder of how dearly valued the Word of God is for believers.

Today, you can find a Bible in any hotel room, but it's as if its ubiquity prevents us from taking it seriously. Even as a seminarian, I cannot state with certainty if I have entirely read every book of the Bible. How would we consider the written word of scripture differently if books were so rare as to be worth more than a lifetime's earnings? How much more seriously would we take the opportunity to read the Bible? As I looked at the Book of Kells, I realized just how much we can take the written word for granted and just how vital it is for us to remain tied to the Word.

The Word of God is still living and active today. The words of the Bible are still vital for us now; furthermore, God's Word is moving in the preached word and sacrament every day. This Word forms us new every day. This Word brings us closer to God and helps us serve our neighbor more completely. This is not something to take for granted. It is something to treasure deeply and stay in close relationship with. May we each realize how we need to be constantly renewed by God's Word.

Lord of Life, your Word moves through us even today. We are constantly thankful for your presence with us in the sacraments and the preached word. Open our hearts and minds to your scriptures, so that we might come closer to understanding you and your will. Give us the boldness to approach you in study and prayer, as we come with humility to ask the Spirit's guidance. In all things, keep us dedicated to your will and way. We pray this in your Son's name, Amen.