As Steadfast As the Olive Tree ...

23/07/2010: Maison générale - Rome

Morning Prayer:

Psalm 52: 8 – 9  ‘I am like a green olive tree in the house of God.

 I trust in the steadfast love of God forever and ever.

The olive tree symbolizes faithfulness and steadfastness.  No matter the conditions, the evergreen olive will live and produce fruit.  We are called to remain steadfast as the olive tree – ever green and bearing fruit.

Reflections from two of the Chapter delegates

                   Aujourd’hui nous avons repensé à la profondeur de ce que nous vivons et les défis que nous exprimons quand nous parlons de notre présence à Jérusalem et de ce que nous voulons y vivre. Ce n’est pas parce que nous ne savons pas ce qu’est Jérusalem pour nous, pas plus que sa signification pour tous les peuples aujourd’hui, et « toutes les nations » (Isaïe 2,1-5),  ni parce que la réalité et les promesses de Dieu vivent en chacune de nous, mais c’est précisément à cause de cette interrogation profonde, cette force qui est derrière les mots.

Nous avons travaillé dur aujourd’hui pour exprimer quelque chose de Jérusalem. Comme un olivier, quelque soit le sol et les circonstances, nous porterons des fruits.

                                                     Mary Babic                                                   

                 Our day began with a meditative reflection prepared by the Canadian Province. The focus of the prayer was the olive tree and was accompanied by a beautiful selection of slides. The olive tree can symbolize steadfastness and faithfulness. It will grow and produce fruit in hot, dry conditions, in cold and wet conditions as well as in rocky or sandy soil. Old, gnarled and damaged trees can and do give life to new shoots. The Scripture passages that were interspersed throughout the reflection were Isaiah 11:10-11; Romans 11:17 and Psalm 52:8-9. After some time of personal reflection we were invited to share our response in our group. I invite you to take time with these Scripture texts and listen to what God is saying to you and to us as a Congregation.    

                                                    Mary Barbuto

                                                    If you want to know Mary Barbuto better, click here