My dear parishioners, one of the most beautiful plants in Israel is the myrtle. Often mistaken for a tree, this handsome plant is actually an evergreen shrub, varieties of which may grow about 15 feet in height. The myrtle's fragrant white blooms beautifully adorn its shiny, soft green leaves and dense bushy foliage. Each flower can produce one semi-sweet, blue-black berry. The Latin name for this familiar and far-ranging Mediterranean shrub is myrtus communis, the common myrtle. It propagates easily from tender little shoots. The common myrtle, however, possesses an uncommon lineage. The Hebrew word for myrtle is hadas. The feminine form is Hadassah, the original name of the beautiful Jewish Queen Esther who, in ancient times, saved her people from being destroyed by her husband, the Persian king Ahasuerus. The myrtle is revered as a sign of love, beauty and devotion. In Jesus’ time, it was customary for generals to be awarded a myrtle-wreath if they were victorious without bloodshed. Roman and Sabine generals acknowledged their reconciliation by placing their weaponry beside the myrtle tree. Understandably, the Gospel message thrives like a beautiful and gracious myrtle, putting forth new growth in every generation. The Word of God, refreshing and invigorating, signifies the peaceful reign of Jesus Christ, in whom past, present and future are one. Isaiah highlights the myrtle in a way that illustrates God's perpetual covenant with his chosen people: “...instead of the brier shall come up the myrtle; and it shall be to the Lord for a memorial, for an everlasting sign which shall not be cut off”. [Isa 55:13] God so loves to use frailty, mystery and innocence to reveal his glory. Speaking through the apostle Paul, the Lord urges us to prepare for his decisive intervention in human affairs: “You know the time; it is the hour now for you to awake from sleep. For our salvation is nearer now than when we first believed; the night is advanced, the day is at hand. Let us then throw off the works of darkness and put on the armor of light.” [Rom 13:11-12] “Love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind, and with all your strength”. [Mk 12:30] The power of God’s love will fill your spirit with the fragrance of the faithful myrtle. If the myrtle’s fragrance means anything to God’s faithful people, it means faithfulness and holiness. Follow our Lord Jesus Christ in a holy way of life. Purify your hearts as if Christ will return in glory within this very hour; work diligently in his vineyard as if he would delay his return for another thousand years. In the meantime, God’s love will conquer the world heart by heart, overturning the bloodshed, immorality, corruption and evil so prevalent in this troubled generation. In these days of renewal, the God of All Consolation urges you to see what he is accomplishing in the lives of those who love him and who walk in holiness. To understand what God has accomplished is to grow in love of him. Therefore, gaze confidently into your spiritual future. Eye has not seen, nor ear heard, nor has the heart of man conceived what God has prepared for those who love him. [1Cor 2:9 para.] You who love God should heed these things carefully, for the day will come when, having departed from the affairs of this world, God will inquire of you, What have you accomplished? Who have you rescued? Sincerely in the hearts of Jesus and Mary. Your pastor, Reverend Richard Barker. +++
My dear parishioners, one of the most beautiful plants in Israel is the myrtle. Often mistaken for a tree, this handsome plant is actually an evergreen shrub, varieties of which may grow about 15 feet in height. The myrtle's fragrant white blooms beautifully adorn its shiny, soft green leaves and dense bushy foliage. Each flower can produce one semi-sweet, blue-black berry.