The Hanged Man
Surrender can be the way to victory, humility the way to honor. This world view is upside down like this picture of a traitor hanged by his foot. How can he be smiling? How can his head be suffused with light as by a halo?
The upside-down perspective suggests giving to the ones who would steal from you, going two miles when forced to carry the soldier's gear for one mile. This impulse is higher than the law of the jungle and beyond the way of the world.
As the archetypal hero sacrifices for the people on his quest, as Odin gives himself on the World Tree, so Christ gave his life upon the Cross. Instead of exerting power and summoning armies of angels, he came to serve and to give his life as a ransom for many. He was resurrected to a new power that grows from humility.
In a divine reversal, instead of life or love fighting to survive, it pours itself out.
In suspension, fasting and thirsting, a kind of true seeing with relief and release to come: "Father forgive them, they know not what they do"; "Today you will be with me in paradise"; "Into your hands I commit my spirit!"; "It is finished."
Many who are last will be first, and many who are least will be great.
The upside-down perspective suggests giving to the ones who would steal from you, going two miles when forced to carry the soldier's gear for one mile. This impulse is higher than the law of the jungle and beyond the way of the world.
As the archetypal hero sacrifices for the people on his quest, as Odin gives himself on the World Tree, so Christ gave his life upon the Cross. Instead of exerting power and summoning armies of angels, he came to serve and to give his life as a ransom for many. He was resurrected to a new power that grows from humility.
In a divine reversal, instead of life or love fighting to survive, it pours itself out.
In suspension, fasting and thirsting, a kind of true seeing with relief and release to come: "Father forgive them, they know not what they do"; "Today you will be with me in paradise"; "Into your hands I commit my spirit!"; "It is finished."
Many who are last will be first, and many who are least will be great.
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