Today's Scripture Reading (September 17, 2021): Genesis 50
Christopher Columbus died on May 20, 1506, likely
from reactive arthritis, which is caused by a bacterial infection. Columbus likely
got infected on one of his ocean voyages as a result of improper sanitation or
improper food preparation. But the explorer's travels did not
end with his death. Columbus's body was first buried at a convent in Valladolid,
Spain, located in the northern central part of the country. His son, Diego,
then had his father's remains moved to a monastery in Seville in the
southern part of Spain. Then, in 1513, the remains were moved to the Cathedral
of Seville. But, still, his moving days weren't finished yet. Around 1536, Columbus's body was moved again to a Cathedral in what is now the Dominican Republic.
In 1796, the explorer's
remains would be moved again, this time to Havana, Cuba. In 1898 the remains
were moved once more, this time back to the Cathedral of Seville, Spain.
Yet, still, the mystery of Christopher Columbus's after-death
travels continued.
In 1877, a box was found with the inscription, "Last of the remains of the first admiral, Sire Christopher Columbus, discoverer." The box contained the bones of an arm, a leg, and a bullet. These remains were kept at a
Cathedral in Santo Domingo until 1992. Then they were moved to the Columbus Lighthouse on the
southern coast of the Dominican Republic.
And the fight was on. Where exactly is Christopher Columbus buried; Spain or the
Dominican Republic. It actually seems likely that he might be in both places and a few others, based on how often the body was moved. The remains in Spain
were tested, and there is a 95% chance that they belong to
Columbus, even though the body does not seem to look like the remains of the explorer.
However, the remains in the Dominican
Republic have not been exhumed, and officials will not exhume and test the
remains buried there. Christopher Columbus might be divided, but, for now, he
is finally at rest.
As Joseph lay dying, he made the same request as his
father Jacob did. Please don't bury me here in Egypt. When God takes you home to
the land that he has promised to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, take me with you.
The difference is that Jacob wanted to be taken immediately to his final burial
spot. Joseph was willing to wait. "But God will surely come to your aid and take you up out
of this land to the land he promised on oath to
Abraham, Isaac and Jacob" (Genesis 50:24). When God delivers
you, remember to take my bones with you.
Joseph
died somewhere around 1806 B.C.E. The move back to Canaan for the Children of
Israel would not happen until 1446 B.C.E., three hundred and sixty years later.
But when the time came, Israel would not forget Joseph's request. They would
exhume the body of Joseph and take him home, to the place where Joseph wanted
his bones to find their final rest (Joshua 24:32).
Tomorrow's Scripture Reading: Exodus 1
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