My wife Sue asked me for help to repot a bonsai white pine tree. A bonsai tree is a miniature living tree grown in a shallow container. Originating as an ancient Asian horticultural art form, it is not a genetically dwarfed plant, but rather a normal tree species that is meticulously trained, pruned, and wired to replicate the scale and beauty of a mature tree in nature.
I needed a dolly to move the pine tree planted ten years ago in a ten gallon plastic container that had become root bound. The tree’s roots had outgrown their container. The sign that the white pine was struggling were that its leaves were turning yellow. This tree would die if it were not repotted. Sue pointed out that two major branches needed to be sawed off. This severe pruning would help this tree to survive. I sawed the plastic pot to expose the roots and you could readily see that the roots were circling the pot and suffocating the roots from further growth. Sue carefully removed the compacted soil from the roots to allow future growth. Then we filled a twenty-gallon pot with an inorganic, coarse-draining mix that allows oxygen to reach the roots while retaining adequate moisture. This mix consists of Akadama, Pumice, and Lava Rock. I loaded the repotted pine onto the dolly and rolled it back into the bonsai garden. Sue poked the inorganic mixture with a chop stick to make sure there were no air pockets and carefully watered the tree deeply so that the roots would get the moisture it needs for healthy growth. This pine would not only survive, but thrive in years to come.
Now I had just attended a national evangelization workshop for the Polish National Catholic Church. Like our white pine bonsai tree with leaves turning yellow, a participant shared that in his church there were no 20, 30, or 40 year olds, a sign that his faith community was failing to thrive. Their faith community’s tenacity highlights a stubborn, unyielding, and persistent dedication to their Polish tradition that mimics the root bound problem of our pine tree if left untreated would result in its death. What branches need to be cut to allow growth for its future? What teachings or doctrines need to be realigned so that Generation X would take a second look?
The transplanted roots of our pine tree reflect the faith, dedication and passion of the Polish Catholic people who reflect the love, compassion and mercy of Christ. However, roots that are compacted will rot and die. The gardener needs to prune the branches that rob the energy and open up the roots so that the tree can regain its energy for future growth. Note, the special inorganic, coarse-draining mix allows oxygen to reach the roots while retaining adequate moisture. When mixed together in equal parts, they create an optimal environment by balancing moisture retention, excellent drainage, and vital root aeration. This is the same environment that is critical to welcome Generation X. Faith teachings need to reflect an environment that is non-judgmental, accepting of differences and open to social justice issues.
Lord, I pray for all my Sonshine Friends that our faith flourishes rooted in prayer, compassion for our neighbors and teachings that accept all people as children of God.
Addumdum: the photo below shows our transplanted white pine with its yellow leaves. We trust our little tree will thrive with its root system feed with the tenderness and understanding of God’s mercy, compassion and love.
