[There in God's garden stands the tree of wisdom]

Texts

There in God’s garden stands the Tree of Wisdom,
whose leaves hold forth the healing of the nations:
Tree of all knowledge,Tree of all compassion,
Tree of all beauty.

Its name is Jesus, name that says, “Our Savior!”
There on its branches see the scars of suffering;
see where the tendrils of our human selfhood
feed on its lifeblood.

Thorns not its own are tangled in its foliage;
our greed has starved it, our despite has choked it.
Yet, look! It lives! Its grief has not destroyed it
nor fire consumed it.

See how its branches reach to us in welcome;
hear what the Voice says, “Come to me, ye weary!
Give me your sickness, give me all your sorrow;
I will give blessing.”

This is my ending, this my resurrection:
into your hands, Lord, I commit my spirit.
This have I searched for; now I can possess it.
This ground is holy.

All heaven is singing, “Thanks to Christ whose
Passion
offers in mercy healing, strength, and pardon.
Peoples and nations, take it, take it freely!”
Amen! Our Savior!

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