Under the Tree

The next day Jesus decided to go to Galilee. He found Philip and said to him, ‘Follow me.’ Now Philip was from Bethsaida, the city of Andrew and Peter. Philip found Nathanael and said to him, ‘We have found him about whom Moses in the law and also the prophets wrote, Jesus son of Joseph from Nazareth.’ Nathanael said to him, ‘Can anything good come out of Nazareth?’ Philip said to him, ‘Come and see.’ When Jesus saw Nathanael coming towards him, he said of him, ‘Here is truly an Israelite in whom there is no deceit!’ Nathanael asked him, ‘Where did you come to know me?’ Jesus answered, ‘I saw you under the fig tree before Philip called you.’ Nathanael replied, ‘Rabbi, you are the Son of God! You are the King of Israel!’ Jesus answered, ‘Do you believe because I told you that I saw you under the fig tree? You will see greater things than these.’ And he said to him, ‘Very truly, I tell you, you will see heaven opened and the angels of God ascending and descending upon the Son of Man.’ John 1:43-51</

Under the Tree

Resting quietly thinking alone
these thoughts of independence
fearless in untested strength
the eye of God is still upon us.

The author of love is seeking
even now to find that heart
which lives for others' healing
and tells the truth without shame.

Those who are sought by God
do not resemble the mighty
they have weakness and fears
hiding under the great spreading trees.

Those who are quirky and broken
the most desired of all beloved
for within there is room for spirit
dancing, turning, making new.