Therefore, my beloved, be steadfast, immovable, always excelling in the work of the Lord, because you know that in the Lord your labour is not in vain. (1Corinthians 15: 58)

Over the last 100 days I have worked to better understand Paul.

In this letter to a troubled gathering of Christians I often found him impatient. If he perceived the the trouble related to pride or self-assertion Paul could be dismissive.

If he perceived a controversy might discourage outsiders from coming to know Christ, Paul was quick and uncompromising in his condemnation.

His arguments against such actions could be rather weak. Paul had overthrown the authority of the law and had not yet developed positive principles to replace it.

Paul perceived in the self-giving of Jesus - and in the resurrection - an all-encompassing promise of redemption, reconciliation, restoration, and renewal.

At the core of Paul's ground of being is a God who loves in spite of good cause not to love.

God's love is general, but it is also specific. It is a love that honors and celebrates each unique creation for itself... for ourselves.

This love of each requires extending freedom to each. Only in freedom can each become uniquely and profoundly itself.

In freedom there is opportunity for error. Through error comes the experience of pain. The gift of freedom is the source of our suffering.

Paul and I differ on much. But we share an understanding that while God will not withdraw his gift of freedom, God has sent another gift. Christ is with us in our suffering and in Christ and through Christ we may experience transcendence.

Above is a Ninth Century mosaic showing Paul to the immediate left of Christ, along with Saints Cecilia, Peter, Valerian, and Agatha in the Basilica Sant Angese, Rome.