Taproot

An autumn tree, taken by Sister Carleen Schomer

For many of us, these are trying times. Pandemic, economic hardship, conflicts fit the news. I had to ask myself where I hope? With so much crumbling around us, what can we cling to? Where is hope? My clue came from Benedict: Place your hope in God alone. But what does that mean? It came to me, the taproot. Some trees have a taproot that grows down in the earth to give it stability and to seek water and nutrients for its life. Without that taproot, it would easily be blown over in hard weather. Hope is that taproot giving us stability and tap into God’s love. Benedict tells us. Never lose hope in God’s mercy.

Place all of your hope in God.
– Rule of Benedict 

Hope is the taproot reaching deep seeking
the mercy of God. Seek hope in your secret place,

and find in the mercy of God a mother’s heart,
urging you on, longing to enfold you,

never to lose you. Then your taproot must go
deeper splitting the rock of a hardened heart.

Growing deeper there is a greater love,
drawing you even into depths beyond

your grasp. As it grows deeper and stronger
other roots of hope extend, all rooted and

grounded, going beyond yourself, reaching
the entire world with hope and love.

The last of  Saint Benedict’s tools:
Never lose hope in the mercy of God.

Charles Wm Preble, OblSB