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.
December 12, 2021: A Story of the Gods - Michael Hidalgo
December 5, 2021: Quid Pro Quo - Bekah Stewart
November 28, 2021: These Belong to You - Michael Hidalgo
November 21, 2021: Look On The Inside - Michael Hidalgo
November 14, 2021: No Ear, No Job - Amanda Lum
November 7, 2021: The One About Selling Everything - Maggie Knight
October 31, 2021 - Less is the New More - Michael Hidalgo
October 24, 2021: On Not Getting It Sorted - Bekah Stewart
October 17, 2021: What Are You Talking About? - Michael Hidalgo
October 10, 2021: A Sacred Presence - Michael Hidalgo
October 3, 2021: There Are Only Participants - Michael Hidalgo
September 26, 2021: This is For Everyone - Michael Hidalgo
September 19, 2021: No One Said It Would Be Easy - Dave Neuhausel
September 12, 2021: Are You Actually Happy? - Michael Hidalgo
September 5, 2021: What Do YOU Mean? - Amanda Lum
August 29, 2021: Setting Forth - Michael Hidalgo
August 15, 2021: With Jesus - Kay Morrison
August 8, 2021: Shift Happens - Bekah Stewart
August 1, 2021: I Am Your Shield - Amanda Lum
July 25, 2021: A Life Entrusted - Landon Lynch
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