Learning to Live under the Broom Tree

Catholic Online ^ | 8/09/09 | Deacon Keith Fournier

[tcg]

I seem to be spending more time under the broom tree as I get older. I have finally come to see that place as a holy place, a place of invitation, in an unfolding loving plan of God in my own life. It is under those “broom trees”, when I feel the least able to continue the struggle and surrender myself to the One who always sends His messengers, that I find the sustenance I need for the journey of life and learn the ways of living faith.

Many people have heard of the dramatic encounter between the great Old Testament prophet Elijah and the prophets of Baal that occurred on Mount Carmel just prior to this account. It is recorded in the eighteenth chapter of the Old Testament's Book of First Kings. The powerful prophet confronts hundreds who oppose him in a test of “derring do”. Each builds an altar and calls upon his god to send fire to consume it. Elijah is the only one whose prayer is answered as the Altar and sacrifice are consumed by Fire.

However, most people are not familiar with the story that follows in this chapter of the Biblical text. This same mighty prophet runs for cover—seeking refuge in a desert under a broom tree, begging God to take his life—when confronted by a wicked queen named Jezebel who has heard the news of the encounter from Ahab. But, it is right here, under the broom tree, where we can learn what may be the more important lesson for the journey of life. That is because it is there, under the broom tree, where most of us truly live. It is there where we also have the hardest time surrendering our wills to the Will of God.

[tcg]

A lesson from Elijah: Faith is often found under the broom tree where we learn to surrender our will to God and begin to hear His still small voice.

[Birdsbane]

“Faith is often found under the broom tree where we learn to surrender our will to God and begin to hear His still small voice.”

A shrub related to Scotch Broom, perhaps? Smoking (or consuming) Scotch Broom (a relative of tobacco) causes about a half hour of marijuana like euphoria, followed by 4 to 5 hours of enhanced color perception. Broom smokers were mentioned in the “Courtship of Miles Standish”, by the way. I’m not trying to ruffle tail feathers, but perhaps there is a correlation here?