Greenest Branch Blossoming (midweek message)

 

Greenest Branch Blossoming

March 2, 2016

Fr. Tony’s Midweek Message

This is the most glorious time of the year to live in the Rogue valley, I think.  The trees in Ashland are beginning to show green in their branches; willows are now weeping; the plum, pear, apple, cherry, and red bud trees are burdened with heavy clouds of sweet smelling flowers.  Daffodil, crocus, and hyacinth abound and early wheat carpets outlying farm fields with brilliant verdure.  This glorious scene brought to my mind a wonderful poem written by St. Hildegard of Bingen, a hymn to the Blessed Virgin: 

Hail, O greenest branch

Who came forth with the saints

Like a gust of wind.

When the time came

For your branches to blossom

You were truly exalted. 

For the sun’s warmth

Perfumed the air around you like balsam,

For in you blossomed the fairest flower

From which all dried spices

Derive their perfume. 

And your branches

Burst into greenness.

Because your womb brought forth wheat

For the birds of heaven

To make their nests. 

Then a banquet was prepared for humanity,

And great was our joy. 

And in you, O sweet Virgin,

Is there no lack of rejoicing.

Eve hated these things.

But now let us praise the Most High.

   (Symphonia armonie celestium revelationum, tr. Barbara Newman)

Grace and peace,

Fr. Tony+