Paradise. A loan word from the Persian picture of an enclosed park or garden. This picture, of course, calls to mind something familiar: The Garden of Eden. The word Luke uses is the same word used in the Septuagint referring to Eden. And what was Eden? It spoke of radical union with God, the other and one’s self. But that’s not the end of the story of Eden. The story unravels and speaks of disintegration, splitting, conflict and banishment. What was once a place for humans to grow and flourish and employ their calling is now a distant memory. And should one want to find their way back, the entrance is guarded by an angel with a flaming sword.
This story is echoed in other places and other wisdom traditions. It speaks of the universal longing to enjoy the union with God and with all things. The sort of union manifested in Paradise. This is the picture John offers in Revelation when he refers to the “paradise of God” (Revelation 2.7). And this is the same word-picture Jesus offers the rebel dying with him on the cross. Which is an interesting moment. For it is there, being crucified with Christ, that the rebel understands who Jesus is. And there, dying next to a rebel, Jesus says, “You will be with me …” And what does Jesus invite his followers to? To be crucified. Perhaps, this rebel, is in many ways the first disciple. And in picking up his cross, in losing his life, he finds it in Jesus - in Paradise.
July 12, 2020: The Courage to Rest – Amanda Lum
July 5, 2020: Flesh & Blood – Dave Neuhausel
June 28, 2020: Just This – Michael Hidalgo
June 21, 2020: Make It Real – Jon Gettings
June 14, 2020: The Most Excellent Way – Michael Hidalgo
June 7, 2020: Do You Know Who You Are? – Bekah Stewart
May 31, 2020: Get Off Your Ass and Do Something – Michael Hidalgo
May 24, 2020: Love is God and God is Love – Scott Oppliger
May 17, 2020: The Engine of the Universe
May 10, 2020: All for One – Michael Hidalgo
May 3, 2020: So That's How it is in That Family - Amanda Lum
April 26, 2020: Beyond Kin, Family, and Tribes - Dave Neuhausel
April 19, 2020: You Look Divine - Michael Hidalgo
April 12, 2020: Easter Sunday - Michael Hidalgo
April 5, 2020: Divine Feminine Remixed – Scott Oppliger
March 29, 2020: A Child At Her Breast – Michael Hidalgo
March 22, 2020: Cooperating & Co-Creating – Bekah Stewart
March 15, 2020: Born of God – Michael Hidalgo & Maggie Knight
March 8, 2020: The Divine in All Things, All People, In All Places - Paige Harris & Scott Oppliger
March 1, 2020: A Metaphor For The Divine - Michael Hidalgo
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