At the Bookstore

I love to browse in bookstores and libraries, with their endless selections of books. Most also have newspapers and magazines available. I like to approach the Bible as a magnificent library of books about God’s love for this world. There’s history, adventure, intrigue, poetry, hymns and worship material, legal and health codes, wisdom, letters, biography and so much more in the Bible.

The first four books of the New Testament are known as the Gospels, a word meaning good news, and have a feel of both biography and newspaper. Most biblical scholars believe that Mark, the shortest of these four books, was the first of the gospels to be written. Today is the day set aside in the church year especially to honour Mark and the gospel he wrote.

Mark sets out immediately to let us know he is writing the story of Jesus Christ, the Son of God. In short order he sets his message in the context of the prophet Isaiah, tells us of Jesus’ baptism, the arrest of John the Baptist, and the beginning of Jesus’ public ministry.

Let the Bible be your treasured bookshelf, telling the story of God active in our world. Learn and grow from the words of hope and faith that it offers.

Thank you, dear Lord, for your holy Word. Amen. — JG