the national climate of depression brought on by yolanda is still thick in the air. the breeze auguring the coming of christmas is heavy and lifeless. and, we thought of joining fr. noel in a day of recollection at the sacred heart novitiate in novaliches. this time, there were no crickets like the last time i took a stroll on its grounds. birds were chirping. occasionally, the flock of sheep roaming freely were bleating out to each other in this vast prime property. and then there was this ugly tree.
and the tree was slowly dying. a growing hill of termites were gnawing at its roots. and, the fig tree that jesus cursed came to mind. that poor tree had not been bearing fruits. for being useless, it was cursed by christ and the apostles saw it wither.
the west wind of december weighed heavier as i walked back sad with the image of a rotting tree.
earlier, i had wanted to sit by the image of the madonna under a huge banyan tree. the bench that was there last august wasn't there anymore. and there were spiders. i was beginning to regret taking the morning's walk until i saw some "strange fruits" under the trees.
i saw my kids and my niece meditating under the trees as if waiting in expectant hope ... just like how it was on the first advent.
___
strange fruit is a favorite song of mine. billie holiday's rendition of this haunting song against racism is the best that i have heard.
