The 75th Anniversary of the Martyrdom of St. Maximilian Kolbe
Week 50
The Tree of Life
In the Garden of Eden, there were two trees.
The Tree of Life and the Tree of the Knowledge of Good and Evil. Gen. 2:9
When Adam and Eve chose to eat of the Tree of the Knowledge of Good and Evil, they were cast out of the Garden of the Eden, and no longer able to eat of the fruit of the Tree of Life and so they died as will all of their children.
The Tree of the Knowledge of Good and Evil is the Tree of this world and those who eat of its fruit will die.
While the Tree of Life is the Tree of the Kingdom of Heaven and those who eat if its fruit will live forever.
When Jesus died on the cross, the cross became the new source of life;
The Tree of Life for all who eat of its fruit.
One can only attain this fruit if one is willing to climb onto the Tree of Life(Cross).
St. Maximilian was not afraid to eat of the fruit of sorrow and suffering of the cross.
This is why St. Maximilian Kolbe said that we should love crosses!
As Maximilian wrote, “Love crosses! Love crosses! The cross is a source of true happiness.
Crosses are necessary everywhere. Even the Immaculata lived on this earth with crosses, and
Jesus did not choose another way. They shouldn’t discourage us at all. Saint Paul doesn’t
hesitate affirming that he glories in his weaknesses so that Christ may manifest His power through them.” (KW 609)
When Christ mounted the Cross, it became the Tree of Life.
Every cross is now a Tree of Life.
All St. Maximilian wanted was to share in the sufferings of Christ and to know the power of His resurrection. Phil. 3:10
One can never know the power of the resurrection until one share in the sufferings of The cross.
Only When one share in the suffering of Christ can one see and understand how the cross is transformed into the Tree of Life.
Most people want to eat of the Fruit of the Tree of The Knowledge of Good and Evil because it leads to power and wealth which fades and rusts.
Those however who eat of the Fruit of the Tree of Life on which Christ hung will have Eternal Life.
Prayer:
O Cross of Christ, O Tree of Life, in your branches are the fruit of eternal life. May I not be afraid to dwell in its branches knowing that from its fruit I will taste eternal life and endless joy.
Mediations and Questions
1. What are my crosses?
2. Do I embrace them?
3. How can they lead to new life?
4. How is the cross of Christ the Tree of Life?