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.
February 21, 2021: Forgive Them –Michael Hidalgo
February 14, 2021: An Anchor for the Soul
February 7, 2021: Provoking the Good and Beautiful – Scott Oppliger
January 31, 2021:What is Hope Anyway? – Michael Hidalgo
January 24, 2021: Living with Hope in the Past Tense – Jonathan Merritt
January 17, 2021: As Real As It Gets – Michael Hidalgo
January 10, 2021: What Is Emerging From The Chaos of This Moment? – Michael Hidalgo
January 3, 2021: Returning Home –Scott Oppliger
December 20, 2020: Dear Tiny Infant Jesus – Michael Hidalgo
December 13, 2020: As Much Dirt As You Can Handle – Dave Neuhausel
December 6, 2020: Not So Far From God –Amanda Lum
November 29, 2020: Christ of the Cosmos – Michael Hidalgo
November 22, 2020: Not Becoming a Monster to Defeat a Monster – Bekah Stewart
Spiritual Formation Podcast: Prayer of Examen
Spiritual Formation Podcast: Advent 2020 – Week 4
Spiritual Formation Podcast: Advent 2020 – Week 3
Spiritual Formation Podcast: Advent 2020 – Week 2
Spiritual Formation Podcast: Advent 2020 – Week 1
November 15, 2020: Drunk, Naked and Passed Out – Michael Hidalgo
November 8, 2020: What the Hell? – Nick Elio
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