Wednesday, July 09, 2008

The Best Insurance

Yesterday, a friend (who knows I like collecting such things) gave me, as a farewell gift, the little booklet you see here. 70 years ago, in 1938, someone carefully wrote in it the Lord's Prayer in 12 languages: English, German, French, Spanish, Italian, Latin, Yiddish, Gaelic, Koine (NT) Greek (see other picture), Polish, Russian, and Esperanto.

I think he wrote it in 12 languages to reflect the catholicity of the church. Christ sent the apostles out into all the world to preach the gospel in every language.

I think he wrote it in an "Empire Life Insurance Company" booklet because prayer is the best insurance policy we have.

I think the final translation is in Esperanto because it was supposed to be the universal language that would bring people together.

I'd love to have met this guy.

(See Rev. Jim Witteveen's post for the Lord's Prayer in Carrier.)