The “Onion Story,” embedded within one of Fyodor Dostoevsky’s monster novels, captures the essence of Christian salvation. An old crone dies and ends up in hell. Her guardian angel is weeping when he remembers that she had actually done one good deed in her life. He takes the very onion that she had given to a beggar woman and lowers it down into the pit of fire. The crone is ecstatic when she sees it, grabs hold, and begins to make the sweet ascent upward. The other lost souls, however, also see this onion as their ticket to heaven and reach out for her legs. As the angel pulls the onion, a human chain forms midair, but the crone is incensed – it’s her onion! She kicks and screams and tries to shake everyone off. Then finally, right as they arrive at the gates of paradise, she loses her grip, and they all fall back into the fiery pit where “she is still burning to this day.” It’s not that complicated: When we peel back the layers of our inner onion, we discover that our human lives are only ever shared and that our salvation is eternal communion with others. Ave Crux, Spes Unica.
Sorry, the last statement lost me. I need more explanation,please. Maybe the takeaway, is that we are all selfish in the end?
Greetings Margie, hello! The last statement means that while we may all have an old crone within, our human hearts (inner onions) will not be satisfied with anything less than full communion with others and radical connectivity. Salvation is thus possible for those who are willing to be shared which is good and hopeful news for any of us who may feel trapped by the feeling of isolation that goes with selfishness. I remember you and hope you are well!