Apocryphote of the Day: 6-20-08

Thomas says: "The inside I have made outside and the outside (inside), and all your fullness has been fulfilled in me. I have not turned back to the things behind, but have gone forward to the things before, so that I might not become a reproach."

Acts of Thomas 147 (Greek recension)

Thomas says: "The internal I have made external, and the external internal. Let your will be fulfilled in me. I have not turned back, and I have not stretched forward. Let me not be a wonder and a sign."

Acts of Thomas 147 (Syriac recension)

Commentary: The Greek recension relies on an older manuscript than the Syriac translation. Notice how the old Jesus saying has taken on new meanings in both these performances of it.

Apocryphote of the Day: 2-20-08

"My loins are girded with truth, and my sandals are bound on my feet. May I not see their thongs untied. I have put my hand to my ploughshare, and I have not looked behind me, so that my furrows may not be crooked. My fields are white and are ready for reaping. May I receive my reward...May I receive your face and worship before your holy beauty...The internal I have made external, and the external internal. Let your will be fulfilled in every part of me...Let us receive the crown of victory."

Acts of Thomas 147

Commentary: (ca. late second or early third c.) This is a prayer attributed to Judas Thomas (the Apostle) while in prison before his martyrdom. The reference to receiving God's face and worshiping before his holy beauty is striking in its merkavah mystical language. Thomas is asking to be allowed to enter the heavenly throneroom and receive a vision of God's face, in order to worship God's Beauty.