The Father's Realm can be compared
to a merchant who discovered a pearl
hidden in a consignment of goods.
Wisely, he returned the goods
and bought the single pearl instead.
You too must seek out for yourselves
an enduring treasure
in that realm where moths cannot devour
nor insects come to destroy.
I am the light shining upon all things.
I am the sum of everything,
for everything has come forth from me,
and towards me everything unfolds.
Split a piece of wood, and there I am.
Pick up a stone
and you will find me there.
Why did you come out into the wilderness?
To see a reed blown about by the wind?
A man dressed in soft raiment
like your rulers and the powerful?
Yes, indeed they are clothed
in fine, luxurious garments,
but what they lack
is the ability to discern truth.
A woman in the crowd said to him,
"Fortunate is the womb which bore you,
and the breasts which nourished you."
Yeshua turned to her and said,
"The ones who hear the Father's Word
and guard its truth are truly fortunate.
But the days are coming when you will say,
'Lucky is the womb that never bore,
and the breasts that never gave milk!'"
Welcome to my Illustrated Guide to the Gospel of Thomas
These photographic meditations were developed over three years in response to the Gospel of Thomas. I post them here in hopes that they may help you find your way into the heart of these words of Jesus, and I extend my thanks to Lynn Bauman for his inspirational translation of this seminal work.
Now available on Amazon:
"This is indeed a great resource, from a person whose being is as lovely as her photography... It just goes to show that creativity is as valid a way of 'knowing' a text as is scholarly exegesis--and much more in the spirit of what was originally meant by 'gnosis,' or integral knowing." -- Cynthia Bourgeault