Reading today in Vincent Van Gogh’s letters to his brother Theo (“Letters to Theo”), which if you haven’t read, reveal the heart of the man (and “failed minister”), and most artist- that he wanted to paint the garden, and Jesus’ last night with his disciples, but it was too painful for him to paint Jesus and his friends, so felt the whole story by bearing witness to the Olive trees which covered and sat with Him as he prayed.

Had to write a short art response to that, as i often do when i think of the real stories! To try to interpret them through art, is still my favorite way of listening.

And as i just visited some of those trees recently on that mount of Olives!

But, also considering another artist friend, who encountered that moment through nature, as an indirect direct way to interpret the story!

Try making art responses to the stories, they come alive when you do! Art engages the imagination to enter the stories. As Tillich taught us, “The symbolic allows us to encounter the Reality embedded in the true stories!” Another great reason for making art!

This one is a bit of a St Francis take on the story, as seen through the Olive trees accompanying Jesus in prayer, but also a touch from my friend St Vincent’s eyes, i hope.

Jesus’ friends, the Olive trees!

You waited and prayed alone with olive trees that night.

When everyone fell asleep,

you heard soldier cries for a fight,

and saw them looking for you instead;

the olive trees watched and remembered, recalling

all you cried out in their bark…

they still do, i’m sure, old and scarred for life by it.

but we too, can barely hear or wait still,

and we fall asleep easily while you pray on;

we can’t wait or bare it like those trees

you carved your name on that night-

we wack off ears and run away fast still…

we are weak, but you

are like an olive tree inside

a temple

inside

our

hearts

now, with

your friends

the trees

still crying out

Your Name…