Gospel of Philip

 

 Analogue 38:   Transcendent Humanity and Spiritual Ecology The Master said, “Blessed are all who existed before coming into being, for all who are now, both existed before and shall ever be.” The transcendence of human beings is not obvious to the naked eye. It remains hidden from view, but the result is that humans have mastery over creation, even over those creatures which are larger and stronger. Through what is manifest and what is hidden, we are able to survive. When, however, humans separate from nature, then everything begins to devour and destroy itself because there is no mutual nourishment. But when human beings cherish and cultivate the earth, then all things are properly fed. SYNOPSIS A new beatitude is given concerning a state of blessedness.  Human beings are seen to be transcendent creatures, not simply temporal or terrestrial beings. This High Anthropology, based on an eternal perspective, is contrasted with a Low Anthropology (or theological reductioni...

 

    Analogue 37:  The Wisdom of the Mother Wisdom who some call barren, is herself the Mother of the Angels. The companion of the Anointed One was Miriam of Magdala, for the Master appeared to love her more than the other students, and many times would kiss her on the mouth. When the others saw his love for her they asked him, “Why do you love her more than the rest of us?” “Do I not love you as I love her?” the Savior answered. When someone who is blind is in the dark with someone who can see they are no different from one another. But when the light comes, and the one who can see beholds the light, the blind person remains in the darkness still. SYNOPSIS Note:  changes in the translation are the translator’s revisions of the  Luminous Gospels .  Wisdom is understood as a divine feminine principle and living presence. Unresponsiveness to or rejection of the feminine Wisdom principle makes it barren, unproductive, and unfruitful. The role of Wisdom as...

 

ANALOGUE 36:   The Seventy-Two Colors The Master went into the dye works of Levi and took seventy-two colors and threw them into a vat, but then what he drew up out of it was entirely white. “This,” he said, “is the way in which the Son of Humanity comes to you as a dyer.” Dyeing with seventy-two colors illustrates the work of the Son of Humanity. Is there a historical similarity to Rumi’s experience with Shams? The names of Matthew and Levi are associated in the Gospel tradition and part of the priestly tribe.  The number 72 is a sacred number with a rainbow of hues. All colors contribute to white on the spectrum of light.  Turning towards whiteness in contrast to Analogue 34’s focus on darkness.  COMMENTARY The Dye Works of Levi This is the seventh and last in a series of what appear to be unrelated vignettes, each one seemingly sitting apart from all the rest, but all perhaps linked by the author’s flow of thought or internal interpretive seeing. Individually and ...