Print Details:

• Museum-quality posters made on thick, durable, matte paper.
• Paper is archival and acid-free.
• Unframed prints arrive rolled up in a protective tube.

Frame Details:

• Alder, Semi-hardwood frame
• Black in color
• .75” thick
• Acrylite front protector
• Lightweight
• Hanging hardware included
• Made in the USA

From the artist:

“I am sending him, who is my very heart, back to you” (Philemon 1:12).

These are strong words to describe another—words saturated in love and hope, words saturated in connection and promise. Paul writes these words to Philemon, a “dear friend and co-worker,” about Philemon’s runaway slave, Onesimus.

In ancient Rome, almost anyone could become a slave, and nearly 30-40% of the population were enslaved. Slaves were treated poorly, like property, and could be killed for running away. However, somewhere along the way, Paul meets Onesimus, Philemon’s runaway slave, and chooses not to view him by his status alone, or as a criminal for running away, but as a son.

Paul pushes and challenges his readers to see the full humanity of Onesimus. Paul does not do this perfectly, still blinded by the societal structures of the day, but he does take big steps toward justice here—steps toward equality and love—and we are called to do the same.

In what ways are we being like Philemon—ignoring social change we could help enact? In what ways could we be like Paul, bending, step-by-step, the social arc of our society toward equality and justice for all? In what ways could we do better?

I am starting to believe that Paul was onto something—that maybe all justice work must begin by believing that others carry our hearts.
—Sarah Are