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 18, 2021: Remember Who You Are - Ryan Taylor
July 11, 2021: Be With Us – Kristin Wright
July 4, 2021: Good Grief - Michael Hidalgo
June 27, 2021: Burning Like a Furnace – Michael Hidalgo
June 20, 2021– Remembering Rightly – Bekah Stewart
June 13, 2021: Build My House –Michael Hidalgo
June 6, 2021: Rooftops, Stars, Clothing and Thresholds - Michael Hidalgo
May 30, 2021: I've Heard of You – Jon Gettings
May 23, 2021: This is Not Comforting - Michael Hidalgo
May 16, 2021: Walk This Way –Dave Neuhausel
May 9, 2021: And Now for the 6th Act! – Michael Hidalgo
May 2, 2021: Scott Oppliger - That's Not How You Treat Family
April 25, 2021: Tov! – Michael Hidalgo
April 18, 2021: Bugs, Wrestlers and Faces – Bekah Stewart
April 11, 2021: About a Homer for Gomer – Michael Hidalgo
Apri 4, 2021: This isNot Resuscitation – Amanda Lum
March 28, 2021: It is Finished – Michael Hidalgo
March 21, 2021: God, Where Are You? - Michael Hidalgo
March 7, 2021: Mothers and Sons – Amanda Lum
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