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World Scripture | February 10, 2009

Yann Martel in the Man Booker Prize winning novel Life of Pi writes in the first person voice of the protagonist (stranded at sea with little hope for survival):

My greatest wish -- other than salvation -- was to have a book, a long book with a never ending story. One I could read again and again, with new eyes and a fresh understanding each time. Alas there was no scripture in the lifeboat.

I was a disconsolate Arjuna in a battered chariot without the benefit of Krishna's words. The first time I cam upon a Bible in the bedside table of a hotel room in Canada, I burst into tears. I sent a contribution to Gideons the very next day, with a note urging them to spread the range of their activity to all places where worn and weary travelers might lay down their heads, not just to hotel rooms, and that they should leave not only Bibles, but other sacred writings as well. I cannot think of a better way to spread the faith. No thundering from a pulpit, no condemnation from churches, no peer pressure, just a book of scripture quietyly waiting to say hello, as gentle and powerful as a little girls kiss on your cheek.

Posted by admin at February 10, 2009 11:28 AM


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