Vasily Polenov discovered this Olive Tree in the Garden of Gethsemane, where Jesus prayed and was arrested on Holy Thursday night. Do you see the path leading down from Jerusalem to the orchard? One priest-scholar says Jesus would have seen the lamps and torches of the soldiers and guards who were coming for him. He might have gone out a back gate or over the fence to escape them, but he did not.
Some people say as old and gnarled as the olive trees are at Gethsemane they could not be the trees which sheltered the distressed Jesus — that they were planted by Medieval Crusaders. It doesn't matter. This tree is gnarled and "seen a lot." Polenov has honored the tree in the venerable garden beautifully. Look at the complexity of shadow on the tree's trunk and the remarkable blue sky seen through the branches as well.
Remember in the Noah story that the dove brings back an olive branch when the waters begin to recede. The olive branch is a symbol of hope and renewal. Take Christ to heart and a person's renewal can be profound. Discouraging for me, when I meet a person who, after decades of organized Christian do-ing, evidences a heart-mind untouched by Christ.
In the Book of the Prophet Zechariah (Chapter 4) the prophet has a vision of a golden lampstand with an olive tree on either side. The trees represent Joshua, God's Governor, and the Prophet Zerubbabel, the high priest. Zechariah asks for an explanation of the image and God instructs him not to trust financial and military resources (where we find power) but to trust God's Holy Spirit working through him and symbolized by the first tree.
We have so much to relearn. Not to trust financial things. Aren't we taught, if the stock market is soaring, all is well. A recent TV ad encourages parents to get their children interested in the stock market at an early age. The New York Stock Exchange begins and ends each day with the ringing of a bell. Like the start of Mass or the hand bells rung at the most sacred moment of the Consecration. The Stock Market — maybe it's the nation's real cathedral, real religion.
And the other olive tree symbolizes trust in God's Holy Spirit and not in military power. In his recent trip to Iraq, Pope Francis did not expect to see the city of Mosul in ruins? He said, "Something that came to mind in the church is this: who sells the weapons that make for this destruction? Because they don't build these weapons at home. Who sells these weapons? Who is responsible? I would ask them who sells the weapons and at least they would have the sincerity to say, 'We sell the weapons.'"
Well, who sells the weapons? We do. That other countries do as well, doesn't matter. We're the real weapons supermarket. I can't imagine God is pleased. At least not Christ-God.
Vasily Polenov depicts an olive tree that is ancient, tested but still strong. May we ask for that Holy Spirit which preserves us from darkness, proposals of permanent solutions and false promises of security and happiness.
