The Tree of Life – 5 April 2021

As we celebrate the resurrection here is a tree full of life. The trunk and branches are Christ’s resurrected body. Christ is victorious over death and his face is at peace, although the wounds from the crucifixion can clearly be seen. The tree has become green and flowered. Birds of many colours have come to make their homes in the branches.

This picture is Large Resurrection (1999) by Nathan Simpson, a contemporary Australian artist.

The tree of shame was made the tree of glory;

and where life was lost, there life has been restored.’

Common Worship, preface, Lent 5

Faithful cross, true sign of triumph,
Be for all the noblest tree;
None in foliage, none in blossom,
None in fruit thine equal be;
Symbol of the world’s redemption,
For the weight that hung on thee!

Venantius Honorius Clementianus Fortunatus, 6^th C

And this is the smallest of all seeds, but whenever it has grown, it is greatest of all small herbs and it becomes a tree so that a bird of the sky may come settle in its branches.”

Matthew 13:32, Aramiac Bible in plain English