Because of their ability not only to survive but flourish through the severe East Asian winter weather, pine, bamboo and plum together symbolize steadfastness, perseverance and resilience. Pine and bamboo are evergreen, and plum can bloom in February, as I discovered in a nursery this past week where young plum trees, pots standing in snow, are already flowering.
When everything else has withered or gone dormant, these three signal hope and call us to lean into the face of adversity and challenge. Of course, the Lenten Christian may have in mind the determination of Jesus, who, in Luke's Gospel, is always on his way to Jerusalem, where he will be rejected, die for love of us and rise from the dead on the third day.
When the days drew near for him to be received up, he set his face to go to Jerusalem. Luke 9:51
He went on his way through towns and villages teaching, and journeying towards Jerusalem. Luke 13:22
"Nevertheless I must go on my way today and tomorrow and the day following; for it cannot be that a prophet should perish away from Jerusalem". Luke 13:33
On the way to Jerusalem he was passing along between Samaria and Galilee. Luke 17:11
And when he had said this, he went on ahead, going up to Jerusalem. Luke 19:28
Jesus passing between Samaria and Galilee by choice (he could have gone by a different route) is notable, because Samaria was unfriendly territory. We all have a winter-way, a Samaria-way to walk. Take heart, and consider the Three Friends of Winter.
If I were president of the United States, I would personally deliver pine, bamboo and plum trees to the people of China, Japan and both Koreas - late winter signs of a tenacious and unwavering desire and committment to build a peaceful world.
If I were president of the United States, I would personally deliver pine, bamboo and plum trees to the people of China, Japan and both Koreas - late winter signs of a tenacious and unwavering desire and committment to build a peaceful world.
