Thomas Web-Zine
Past Issues for 2009
Money and Wealth
(November 2009)
Once we realize that the sayings of Jesus captured in the logia of the Gospel of Thomas have deeper meanings beyond our understanding on their first reading, we can begin to explore the profound teachings of this Great Master.
Just take logion #95 as a simple example:
Jesus said:
If you have money,
do not lend at interest,
but give it/to him who will not return it. [#95]
Moving from the Darkness
(September 2009)
Try this experiment: Close your eyes tightly, walk around your room towards the door. Obviously check before you start that there are no children, animals, toys, books, etc. underfoot. Did you manage it?
Are You Disturbed?
(July 2009)
Do you feel that small knot in your stomach? Does your thoughts about Jesus, God, religion, belief, and faith bounce around inside your head? Are the words of Jesus in Thomas a source of understanding or confusion? Jesus knows that you will be disturbed; he declares it clearly at the start of the Gospel fo Thomas.
Finding Sanctuary
(May 2009)
Sanctuary is a word coming back into fashion. Books are published on how to find one's own place to be at peace, monks extol its virtue from the tranquillity of their cloisters, and seekers flock to such holy places.
What did Jesus say on seeking peace & tranquility?
Divisions
(March 2009)
Asked to negotiate a financial settlement, Jesus replied 'Oh man, who made me a divider?' [logion #72]. He then turned to his disciples and challenged them on whether they understood that division was what he was trying to overcome. You can almost sense the frustration in his questioning of the disciples.
The Lord's My Shepherd
(January 2009)
Jesus said:
The Kingdom is like a shepherd
who owned hundred sheep. [#107 ]
This saying is recorded in all the Gospels. It is so well-known and accepted that we tend to skip over it and move to the next logion. Our acceptance of its meaning is usually based our early Sunday or week-day school teaching.
But wait; everything from Jesus in 'Thomas' challenges our assumptions, our pre-conceived ideas, and our beliefs. So maybe we need to look below the surface of this logion to find a deeper meaning.
