Codex Aureus of St. Emmeram,
Produced for the Holy Roman Emperor Charles II (the Bald),
Executed in 870 AD
gold, inset with precious gemstones, sapphires, emeralds, and pearls
© Munich, Bayerische Staatsbibliothek, Clm 14000
Codex Aureus of St. Emmeram,
Produced for the Holy Roman Emperor Charles II (the Bald),
Executed in 870 AD
gold, inset with precious gemstones, sapphires, emeralds, and pearls
© Munich, Bayerische Staatsbibliothek, Clm 14000
You put aside the commandment of God to cling to human traditions
Mark 7:1-13
The Pharisees and some of the scribes who had come from Jerusalem gathered round Jesus, and they noticed that some of his disciples were eating with unclean hands, that is, without washing them. For the Pharisees, and the Jews in general, follow the tradition of the elders and never eat without washing their arms as far as the elbow; and on returning from the market place they never eat without first sprinkling themselves. There are also many other observances which have been handed down to them concerning the washing of cups and pots and bronze dishes. So these Pharisees and scribes asked him, ‘Why do your disciples not respect the tradition of the elders but eat their food with unclean hands?’ He answered, ‘It was of you hypocrites that Isaiah so rightly prophesied in this passage of scripture:
This people honours me only with lip-service,
while their hearts are far from me.
The worship they offer me is worthless,
the doctrines they teach are only human regulations.
You put aside the commandment of God to cling to human traditions.’ And he said to them, ‘How ingeniously you get round the commandment of God in order to preserve your own tradition! For Moses said: Do your duty to your father and your mother, and, Anyone who curses father or mother must be put to death. But you say, “If a man says to his father or mother: Anything I have that I might have used to help you is Corban (that is, dedicated to God), then he is forbidden from that moment to do anything for his father or mother.” In this way you make God’s word null and void for the sake of your tradition which you have handed down. And you do many other things like this.’
Reflection on the Treasure Binding
In our Gospel reading of today, Jesus criticises the religious experts of the time (the Pharisees and some of the scribes) for giving more importance to their own religious tradition than to the Word of God. He says, ‘You put aside the commandment of God to cling to human traditions’. He is saying that they are not getting their priorities right. We always need to allow our religious traditions that have grown over the centuries to be critiqued by the Word of God. The Word of God is at the very source of the church’s tradition. The Word of God is the earliest and most privileged part of that tradition.
We are all invited to keep returning to the Word of God. In the Middle Ages, a unique art form developed to embellish the written word of God. This 'treasure binding' or jewelled bookbinding consisted of creating a highly luxurious book cover using precious metals such as gold or silver, set with jewels, ivory panels to make it more special than the standard materials for book-covers such as leather, velvet, or other cloth. A spectacular example of this craftsmanship is the Codex Aureus of St. Emmeram. It is a 9th century illuminated Gospel book. The cover of the codex is decorated with gems and relief figures in gold. Unusually, it can be precisely dated, to 870 AD, and is an important example of Carolingian Art. In later medieval times, the art form would develop into even more lavish examples. This example is one of very few early treasure bindings that have survived. It was produced for the Holy Roman Emperor Charles II (the Bald).
The cover is handmade of gold and inset with precious gemstones: sapphires, emeralds, and pearls. At the centre of the cover we see Christ in majesty depicted in repoussé relief (raised decoration achieved by hammering the reverse of the panel). He is seated on the globe of the world and holding on his knee a book inscribed with the words: "I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No man cometh to the Father, but by me.” Christ is holding the Word of God.
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Estimado Patrick, mis oraciones para usted y los demás que se ordenarán en junio. Es una bendición!!! Qué misión tan grande ser sacerdote!!
Such a beautiful way to honor the Word of God.
El oro aún siendo “barro” es uno de los materiales preciosos que disponemos para la mejor ofrenda, que en la presentación de hoy es nada menos que para adornar, honrar y custodiar una edición escrita de la Palabra de Dios: como un símbolo de que debemos (y podemos) dar a Dios lo mejor nuestro hasta dar-Le todo.
That’s good news!
Wat een goed nieuws!
Fabulous. Such workmanship. It reminds me of standing in awe in front of the Ghiberti doors in Florence…
But the Gospel – yes, how right Our Lord Jesus was…I say that over and over, ‘rule keeping’ – useless. He looks at the heart.
I am very fond of Romanesque art and artefacts, they have a simplicity and power which some more ‘sophisticated ‘ works lack. I wasn’t aware of this binding, so thank you.
It brought to mind that S. Eligidus was a goldsmith of distinction before becoming a bishop ( he is also the patron saint of farriers, dear to my heart). S. Dunstan was also a silversmith and craftsman , and an illuminator, God is honoured in the works of our hands, as much as in our minds, I think
Dear Friends,
I hope all is well.
I wanted to share the news of the date of my priestly ordination. I won’t send out an email to all our subscribers at this stage, but I wanted to share it with yourselves here, in this ‘comments thread’, as your prayers and support nurture me.
The Ordination to the Holy Priesthood will take place on Saturday 24th June 2023 at Westminster Cathedral, London.
If any or you want to come, you are more than welcome to.
This is all subject to me going through the final scrutinies and be officially called forward by my bishops in the weeks to come, but nevertheless I wanted to share with you the date that we are working towards.
Again, thank you for all your prayers and support. I there might be 6 of us getting ordained on that day.
Glory to God in the highest!
Patrick
I’ll be there!
We recently had a young man from our parish ordained to the priesthood for the diocese of Southwark. We all received his special first priestly blessing after Mass. The poor man was at it for quite a time!
Wonderful!
Delighted to hear you will attend
Querido Patrick, ruego a Dios y a la Virgen Santísima, para que seas una joya preciosa
como esta encuadernación de la Palabra de Dios, con tus compañeros también!🙏🌿🕊
Patrick – after all you have done and given to us, how could we not?? I’ll be there, for sure.
I will be there in spirit. I live in the Chicagoland area of the United States. You have my prayers and I will include you in my Rosary intentions. God bless you Patrick for all you do.
Dear Patrick, thank you for sharing with us such excellent news and letting us be part of your journey. Wish I was wealthy enough to be part of such a special moment, but my best wishes and prayers will go to you and your colleagues.
It’s a long way from south Cumbria. But if I can be there I will. Many blessings.
I am too old to travel from the Netherlands to London. I should lost my way and never came home again. But you know, dear Patrick, that I’ll pray for you (and athe other 6) as I do each day, only till 24th of June a lot more and a lot longer. For you is must be so exciting!! I am so glad for you and I thank God for you, for Christian-Art and that you are a part of my life. God bless you!! P.S. May be Westminster Cathedral livestreams your Ordination?
That is so splendid! I expect all the jewels must be found in Europe and the pearls dived for. The artist(s) who made this would have put many, many hours of work into it but people had time in those days. Nowadays we rush around and leave nothing of note behind! I’m not sure this make much sense!! Anyway this is something that the artists would have been very proud of. God bless them….
I agree, the sis a truly spectacular work of art.
So much craftsmanship and sense of Beauty to put this together.