The Cross, a wooden structure with 2 beams (one shorter & the other longer) fixed at a 90 degree intersection that served as an instrument of torture and punishment, over the centuries, especially, since the times of Emperor Constantine, became a sign of hope over death and defeat (I Cor 15:54-55), a symbol of triumphalism and religio-political power, a symbol for ritualistic veneration, and a piece of ornamental decoration. But it acquires a deeper significance for Christian spiritual tradition as the tree and fountain of life, particularly in the light of the scriptural narration of blood and water gushing forth from the pierced side of Jesus crucified (Jn 19:34), symbolising waters of life-giving grace.
Further, it evokes the lost Tree of Life which flourished at the waters of the Garden of Eden (Gen 2–3), as well as the biblical image of the tree planted beside streams of water (Ps 1:3). In Christian tradition, the Tree of Life is seen as restored in the Cross on Calvary, through the life-giving blood and water flowing from the pierced side of Christ, the one who promises to give living water (Jn 4:14; 7:37–38).
St. Ephrem, the Lyre of the Holy Spirit (Kenara d Ruha) describes the cross as the fountain of life - “For being corruptible, it became incorruptible. And through faith it is no longer a tree, but the fountain of life eternal.”
However, for us as ecological citizens in this era of ecological crisis, I would still say that celebrating the Cross as the Tree and Fountain of Life should lead us to the practice of preserving tree cover and enhancing it—helping to sustain healthy soils, watersheds and living waters for the many deprived of the basic necessity of this precious gift of life: water.
Let us not stop at venerating the dry wood of the Cross in our churches; let us also act to increase the flow of living waters and embrace the solutions available to us.
Action: In celebration of the Cross, I have planted one tree.
I recall a reflection by the beloved Fr Bobby OFM: in the new scheme of things, the set of questions the Lord would ask in Matthew 25 is substituted with a single question: “Did you plant a tree?”For a tree gives food to the hungry, helps preserve water for the thirsty, provides material for clothing and shelter, offers habitat to organisms from the micro to the macro, including humans, and supplies essentials for medicines for the sick.
So let us celebrate the Triumphant Tree—not merely by venerating it, but by increasing tree cover and helping to shelter our Common Home.
P.S. Coincidence - Today, the story of Bittu Tabahi comes to my attention - the 21 year old young B Sc student, who took the cross of cleaning up his river, Ajnar (Biaora, Rajagarh, MP) and put up with hostility and ridicule of the people of his locality, and went about what he took upon himself as a mission. Jan. 26, 2026 start and lo, it's September 2026 - the river is beyond recognition, but for its good.
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