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 30, 2023: Guest Teacher - Maggie Knight
July 23, 2023: Guest Teacher - Hannah Thom
July 16, 2023: Guest Teacher Series - Nick Elio
July 9, 2023: Guest Teacher - Jasper Peters
July 2, 2023: A New Space in the Universe - Michael Hidalgo
June 25, 2023: Announcement
June 18, 2023: There Is No ”Them” - Michael Hidalgo
June 4, 2023: You Must Be Crazy - Kent Dobson
May 28, 2023: Bringing the Fire - Michael Hidalgo
May 21, 2023: I Am (Not) The Greatest - Jonathan Merritt
May 14, 2023: Coming Down the Mountain - Michael Hidalgo
May 7, 2023: Let’s Stay Here - Michael Hidalgo
April 30, 2023: Having It All For Nothing - Michael Hidalgo
April 23, 2023: Fake News or Breaking News? - Michelle Cazas
April 16, 2023: You Can Do This - Michael Hidalgo
April 9, 2023: What Things? - Michael Hidalgo
April 2, 2023: The Visible God - Michael Hidalgo
March 26, 2023: Saved From What? - Michael Hidalgo
March 19, 2023: Off the Mark - Michael Hidalgo
March 12, 2023: Can These Bones Live - Jonathan Merritt
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