Holy Week: Wisdom in Germinal Trees

A Meditation before a Germinating Chestnut 

Evan G Clendenin, 2022

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Very truly, I tell you, unless a grain of wheat falls into the earth and dies, it remains just a single grain; but if it dies, it bears much fruit.

John 12:24

Kindly look at the opening seed-

it came from a tree near here, one of our neighbors.

Spend some time with it.

Explore the protective husk,

the nourishing kernel,

listen to the embryonic plant

sending a root

which must descend

to the ground

feeling its way into the generous humus and clay and rock

and a shoot

that ascends

toward the sun, the starry heavens

and spreads outward, catching light,

giving and receiving shade.

God invites us to be part of new life emerging.

What do you especially notice?

What of God’s invitation does this kernel help you see and embrace?

What grace might it help you name and ask, in order to live into this invitation?  

Daily basics …nourishment, rest, exercise, play, life with near loved ones…

courage…perseverance…

earthed-ness…aspiration…

gentleness… audacity… a more open heart… a thicker skin…

patience… readiness… adaptability… staying true… trust…

Trust in what draws you into the yet unimagined life you are woven into…

Trust in what anchors you…

Open to what God has for you this day, and this week, let us pray…

O God of unchangeable power and eternal light: Look
favorably on your whole Church, that wonderful and sacred
mystery; by the effectual working of your providence, carry
out in tranquility the plan of salvation; let the whole world
see and know that things which were cast down are being
raised up, and things which had grown old are being made
new, and that all things are being brought to their perfection
by him through whom all things were made, your Son Jesus
Christ our Lord; who lives and reigns with you, in the unity
of the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

(from the Solemn Collects for Good Friday, The Book of Common Prayer 1979, p. 280)