Human beings are crucified across many axes: the here and now, on the one hand, and the infinite and eternal, on the other; the demands of our limited bodies, and the amazing abilities of our souls; participation in our earthly politics, and participation in spiritual communion with that which is above us.
The last axis—the horizontal plane of earthly politics and the vertical of communion with that which is above—is particularly important, as it indicates that we relate to both God and our fellow man. The demands placed on us by this double relationship can be conflicting and we humans are therefore destined for a life of tension between earthly and heavenly communion. This can be a difficult balance to live; indeed, has been difficult since, according to biblical tradition, the Fall of man in the Garden of Eden.
