Good Friday Reflection



Sketch of the Chapel Wall at Casa O'Toole

Good Friday Reflection

Tree of Life

How splendid is the cross of Christ!  It brings life, not death;  light, not darkness; Paradise, not loss.  It is the wood on wehich the Lord, like a great warrior, was wounded in hands and feet and side, but  healed thereby our wounds.  A tree has destroyed us, a tree now brought us life.

Saint Theordore the Studite

The 'Tree of Life' painting - based on that of the Basilica of San Clemente in Rome - is found int eh Chapel of the Casa O'Toole, home to the priests who attend the sabbatical program offered by the Pontifical North American College.  At the center is the glorious Cross, upon which lies Our Lord Jesus Christ, His body squeezed dry 'having loved to the end.' (John 13.1).  Beneath the cross. on the left, Mary stands with lowered eyes and hands raised in prayer.  On the right is St. John the Apostle.  The doves on the Cross represent all the apostles.  Above the Cross the Father's hand carries the laurel wreath destined for the 'lamb once slain' (Rev. 5.6), who awaits now the crown of victory.

Rooted in the earth, represented by the dark soil, the Tree extends all the way to the dome of heaven, shown in the semi-circular bands of color.  From its roots, a luxuriant acanthus vine bursts forth, which envelopes the Chapel's tabernacle; it sends its branches far and wide, covering the entire wall space.  The image is of Christ and His Church, based on the words, 'I am the vine and you are the branches' (Jon 5.5)  The curling tendrils of the vine terminate in stylized flowers pointing to the rich fruits born from remaining in Christ.  This is depicted also by birds of every kind, who find home within the vine, a sign of creation resting in the happiness of heaven.

The streams gushing forth from the base of the Tree are symbols of new life that flows from Baptism.  Two deer drink from the water; they allude to the soul that 'thirsts from God' (Psalm 42.1; 63.1), a thirst that is quenched at the Altar of the Eucharist.

Msgr. Anthony Figueiredo, Director