Deep Roots, Broad Branches
“The seed sprouts and grows; we know not how.”
This stunning relief dating back to the 9th century BC from the palace of the Assyrian King Ashurnasirpal II depicts "The Tree of Life." The Tree is an axis mundi, stretched out between heaven and earth. It is flanked by four genii – semi-divine creatures who – in other renditions of this image – are depicted as human-animal hybrids, reminiscent of the four living creatures in Ezekiel’s vision (Eze 1, recycled in Rev 4).
But our Scriptures sensitize us to the ambivalence of this symbol. On the one hand, we are drawn towards thriving, towards flourishing. We look towards the mysterious unfolding, the planting of that good seed; to its growing up into a mighty plant in whose shade all the the birds of air can make their nest. We think of those planted in the house of the Lord, the righteous who flourish like a palm tree. We consider that heavenly dwelling, towards which these realities point.
At the same time, however, Ezekiel points us to a great tree in Eden’s garden, not a verdant refuge, but stretched heavenward and swollen with hubris, destined to be felled. We consider the wicked, who flourish like the grass; the many deceitfulnesses of bodily health, wealth, success.
The Tree of Life is a symbol that doesn’t just appear in Eden, after all. It appears in the court of the one of the Kings that conquered the people of Israel and carried them off into exile.
Therefore, we groan, walking by faith and not by sight, trusting in the Spirit who has been given to us as a deposit of the Lord, whom we trust will swallow up our death in life, who will clothe our mortality in immortality, who will welcome us into his house not made with hands, to the glory of his good Name.
O Lord, how glorious are your works; your thoughts are very deep.
— Psalm 92:5
Fourth Sunday after Pentecost
Texts for This Week
Prayer
O Lord, from whom all good proceeds: Grant us the inspiration of your Holy Spirit, that we may always think those things that are good, and by your merciful guidance may accomplish the same; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever.
Love abounds in all things!
Hildegard of Bingen was a 12th C Benedictine nun and mystic whose antiphons ring through the ages with a deep, abiding trust in the God who created this strange universe, and authored this strange Book which ever discloses to us his wonderful and majestic strangeness. This is her antiphon for the Holy Spirit, Caritas abundat – love abounds.
Love
abounds in all,
from the depths exalted and excelling
over every star,
and most beloved
of all,
for to the highest King the kiss of peace
she gave.
The video linked here is an exceptional performance by St. Stanislav Girls' Choir from Ljubljana, Slovenia, under the direction of Helena Fojkar Zupančič. These talented young singers offer a multimedia interpretation of Hildegard's visionary music. With hushed reverence, their pure voices ring out the ancient melodies, evoking the mystic's rapturous visions of Divine Love animating all creation. Accompanied by a small ensemble of medieval instruments, the choir's artistic staging and crisp videography transport the audience into Hildegard's symbolic cosmos. It is an enriching performance that opens hearts anew to the boundless Caritas that "from the depths is exalted above the stars."
The St. Stanislav Girls' Choir has rightly earned a reputation as one of Europe's premier young ensembles. Their dramatic rendition displays an uncommon degree of musical mastery, spiritual sensitivity, and creative innovation. By interpreting Hildegard's sacred music through historically-informed yet fresh, multimedia (re)imaginings, they make Hildegard’s 12th century contemplations vibrantly accessible to modern audiences.
