Bible Marathon

“For while gentle silence enveloped all things, and night in its swift course was now half gone, your all-powerful word leaped from heaven from the royal throne, into the midst of the land that was doomed…” (Wisdom 18:14-15)

Over 200 participants

100 hours non-stop

73 books of the Bible

14 different Christian denominations

9 different languages

Innumerable Graces

Hundreds heard the Word of God proclaimed from the campus of Notre Dame seminary in the course of 100 hours of straight Bible-reading.  The Scriptures, which have often initiated contention and debate among Christians, became a source of unity for 14 different denominations throughout the Marathon.  The words crept along Carrollton Avenue as the heavy traffic bustled along and echoed deeply in the crisp cold of the still night, while the Big Easy napped.  Whether with the rain (Isaiah 55:10) or with the sun (Psalm 19:4-6), the Word of God persevered in His sacramental procession throughout New Orleans originating on the campus of Notre Dame Seminary.

God sanctifies us as we proclaim and hear His Word.  Although private reading is vital to the life of faith, private reading does not engage the whole human person like proclaiming the Word or listening to it.  During the Marathon, the Word resonated in hearts.  Conversions happened.  The good news was proclaimed to the poor.  Participants would dive into the stream of continuous lectio for a period of 20 minutes or more and would step out as if having renewed their baptism.  It was a profound event, only to end with the liturgical celebration of our Lord’s first entrance into the Temple. The procession with candles into a dark Church accented the mystery of Christ coming into a dark world.  Just as the Gospel went out from Notre Dame seminary in an innovative way, so the Lord entered the chapel of that same seminary with a vivifying novelty.  A word of sincerest thanks to all who participated.