The Walkway and the Tree
(from the writings of Gerontius the Elder)
When the world began, The Master of All Creation wanted to provide a way for His creatures to approach Him without fear, and without any obstacles. His creatures lived in the wilderness, far away from Him, and they had no idea of how to reach His home. He gave them a path which led from the wilderness in which they lived, to the far horizon, which was His home. He paved the path with broad, smooth stones to show them where the True Path lay, and he formed these stones from Truth and Justice. Then He gave the stones a sacred purpose: to call out to all creatures, to tell all creation that the way to the Master had been marked by the Stones. And He gave them a gift, which was the desire to seek His kingdom which lay at the far horizon. When people saw the walkway paved with stones, they knew that it must have been the work of the Master because it’s way was sure and true, and it followed the straight and narrow path from the darkness of the wilderness to the true light at the far horizon. It made straight the ways of the Lord from its beginning to its end, so all of God's creatures could find the sure path to their Creator. The stones of the walkway were broad and smooth so no one would trip, or stub a toe on their journey to the Master. The people said with one voice: “Thank God for the walkway, for without it we would surely stray from the true path and loose our way in the wilderness.” The wilderness was endless forest which was dark and deep, and had many dangers for those who did not know their way. It had big old trees, which towered overhead, and blocked the sun. The further one wandered from the true path, the darker it got. The trees of the forest took all the light of the sun for themselves because they did not understand the idea of sharing, or giving to others. They knew only that they needed the sun and rain and earth, and since they by N. J. Ferrese
The Walkway and the Tree
(from the writings of Gerontius the Elder)
had all these, they were content. In the fall they would shed their leaves, since they were no longer needed. The leaves would lay thick on the forest floor, hiding the tangled roots of the big old trees. Anyone who wandered deep into the dark forest would trip on the tangled roots, and fall, and loose their way. The walkway longed for a friend who would stay and visit, and it was weary from being in the sun all day. One day a small seed blew in from a nearby tree and nestled at the edge of the walkway. It soon took root, and a young sapling began to sprout, sinking its roots near the edge of the walkway for protection from the elements. The walkway felt sorry for the young sapling, and vowed to protect it and to help guide it to the Master, for that was it's purpose. The sapling soon grew into a young tree. It longed to accompany the pilgrims, and take the path to the Master. But the walkway was afraid to loose its companionship, and told it that it was not yet time for it to move on. The tree spread its roots underneath the walkway, and longed for the day when it could journey to the end of the path. Year after year, the tree grew larger and larger, its branches towered overhead, and its roots spread ever deeper underneath the walkway. Soon, the walkway began to rise and buckle to make room for the hungry roots, and the path was no longer straight and true. Eventually, the tree forgot the urge given to all living things that approach the true path. This was the urge to go to the Master. As pilgrims approached the tree along the walkway, they would stop, and rest in its shade before continuing their journey to the Master. Some saw that the stone walkway had buckled and split to make way for the roots of the hungry tree. They could see that the True Path lay buried underneath, and longed to follow it to its true end. But others would stop and say: “Why continue on this difficult journey, when we can stay here, and be content?” And they would cease their journey to the Master. The people who had taken the sure path used to praise the walkway for being straight and level, and for guiding them through the dangers of the woods. Many pilgrims had followed the walkway to the Master, and had become great Saints. But now, most hurried on their way, and would not stay long in one spot. They did not bother to clear the weeds and vines which began to sprout up between the blocks of stone and around it’s edges. Soon, there were so many weeds and bushes growing near the walkway, that the pilgrims could not see the True Path ahead, or behind. Many walked blindly off the True Path, and were lost in the darkness of the surrounding forest. The walkway was glad to have the company of those who had ceased their journey, and soon began to encourage the travelers to stop, and to rest, and enjoy the coolness in the shade of the tree. The walkway would tempt the travelers with food and drink, with songs and stories, and many pilgrims abandoned their quest to journey to the Master because they were content where they were.
by N. J. Ferrese
The Walkway and the Tree
(from the writings of Gerontius the Elder)
Soon, the other trees closed in until there was only one, small patch of light through the canopy of trees. The pilgrims began to think that the walkway with the tree was the end of their journey, and they did not seek the end of the true path. Soon, the pathway was overgrown, and lost because the pilgrims thought only of their own comfort and pleasure. But some pilgrims felt sure that there must be something more. They began to question what was their purpose in life. They prayed to God that He would send a messenger, or some sign to show them why they were there. One, very pious pilgrim received a cryptic message, and wrote it down: “Man is a creature, groping in the dark, reaching out in search of the 'Blazing Torch'. He stumbles into a clearing, gazes up through the canopy, and blinks in the brilliance of the Sun, then he turns away, toward the comfort of the darkness, and scrambling through the underbrush, he returns to his quest.” Many faithful pilgrims were sure that this message described their situation, but they were still lost. So more and more faithful pilgrims would join together in prayer, and ask God to show them the way. The pious pilgrim who received this cryptic message, became very popular, and those who were in power became jealous of his influence on other pilgrims, so they plotted against him, and had him stoned. There was a flash of lightning, and a deafening crash of thunder. The tree at the base of the walkway burst into flame, several of the burning branches were flung into the darkness, frightening off the creatures which prowled about the land, seeking the ruin of souls. One after another pilgrim picked up a 'Blazing torch' and boldly walked off into the darkness. And, each of them became lost in the darkness because they traveled, carrying their own light, and not following the true path. A spotless lamb appeared upon the true path, picked up a firebrand and told the pilgrims to follow him on his journey to the Father. They protested “We do not know where you are going, how can we follow you?” He stuck the firebrand into the earth near the walkway and the tree, and replied simply “I have come to show the true way.” Then he told them: “Life in this clearing is only a way-station in the journey to the Father.” He went to the center of the clearing where the light still shone through the trees, he knelt down and started drawing in the dust. He spit into the dust, and made some mud. Then he poked his finger into the mud, and out sprang a trickle of water. He told them to “Wash the dust off your feet, with this living water that I give you, and continue on the true path.” He stood, and explained to them that they were made to journey to the Father, and their hearts would be restless until they came to His home at the far horizon. He told them that the spring was “Living Water” which would nourish them on their Journey to the Father. As the pilgrims listened to his explanations, their hearts by N. J. Ferrese
The Walkway and the Tree
(from the writings of Gerontius the Elder)
again began to long to journey to the Father of all things. As their hearts swelled, their faith grew, and the trickle of water turned into a flowing fountain. The Lamb pointed to the weeds and the vines growing from the cracks between the stones of the walkway. He said: “Behold, it is time for the harvest!” A wind began to blow, and the weeds and vines revealed themselves as wheat and grapevines. The wheat grew heavy with grain, and the vines began to sprout luscious grapes. The Lamb pointed to the stream flowing from the fountain, and told his listeners: “The stream I have given you is 'Living Water', and anyone who drinks of this stream will have eternal life flowing up within them.” Then he picked up his firebrand, and told them: “I Am the Way, and the Truth, and the Life. No-one can come to the Father except through me. You are not truly a pilgrim unless you loose yourself, and follow my way to the Father. You must take up your firebrand, and follow the true path just as I do!” He began to walk along the walkway, and as he went along, the path before him was cleared of all obstructions. He tapped the staff on the stones as he walked along, and the stones rang out with joy! “My way is easy, and my burden light, but you must remain faithful to the true path.” He walked along the path, and disappeared into the distance as the pilgrims watched in awe. “He is truly the messiah, the true Christ who was with us. Did our hearts not burn when he spoke of the Father? Let us follow in His way, and be glad!” The pilgrims began to pull out the weeds, collect the grain, and harvest the grapes from the vines. They 'swept clear the path', and 'made straight, the way of the Lord.' They repaired the walkway, and to do that, they had to chop down the tree which grew at the walkway's edge. With its wood, they made a shelter and benches for future pilgrims, and walking sticks to ease their journey. They took up the fire brands to follow the true way of Christ – the way to the Father. So in the end, the walkway was restored, the tree gave its life to aid the pilgrims, and the tree itself made its way to the Master - with the help of the pilgrims.
by N. J. Ferrese