The Giving Tree

One of my favourite images of the Kingdom of God, and the church is the mustard seed, the tiniest of seeds (its presence and energy hidden in mystery) which becomes a huge tree, so that the birds come and nest in its branches, the creatures of the field nestle in its shade, and people come take the fruit –go home, sit around a table, light a candle and create a feast of food, conversation, stories and culture.

I thought the following story by Leah Dorion beautifully reveals something of the depth of meaning of the parable of the Mustard Seed.

The Métis people are a group of Indigenous people who live in the United States, as well as in parts of Canada, in Ontario, British Columbia and the Northwest Territories. They have a shared history and culture and are of mixed Indigenous and European (mainly French) ancestry which became a distinct group by the mid-18th century, during the fur trade era.

In Canada, Métis are one of three groups of Canadian Indigenous peoples referenced in the Constitution Act of 1982 and have a Canadian population of 587,545 as of 2016.

The Giving Tree is one of their ancient stories, passed down from generation to generation. My Canadian friend Vince Racanelli, a school teacher and lover of children’s stories sent it to me recently.

I invite you to listen to the retelling of the story by Leah Dorion. It reminds me too of our own Baobab tree.

The Giving Tree: A Retelling of a Traditional Métis Story, written and Illustrated by Leah Dorion

• Ascension Taize Reflection
• Gathering in Hanover Street on Palm Sunday
• Reflections for the Season of Easter and New life
• Reflections for Holy week
• Cape Town over 70s Field Hockey Players

Those of you who love the Stations of the Cross, may be interested to come back to my post of the stations during Lent and Holy Week.