When was the last time you climbed a tree?
By eileenleyva
@eileenleyva (27562)
Philippines
October 31, 2010 6:37am CST
A visiting priest posed that question at the beginning of his homily. And my mind sped backwards, decades ago, when I was probably eleven. Our guava tree had some plywood nailed on the huge branches. And we called it our tree house.
The priest though went on to explain that rich people or powerful people do not climb trees. Have you ever seen a suit clad CEO climb a tree?, he asked. But back in Jesus' time, a chief tax collector called Zacchaeus, small in stature, climbed up a sycamore tree so that he could get a glimpse of our Lord. When Jesus saw Zacchaeus, He asked Zacchaeus to come down and told the rich chief tax collector that He will be dining in Zacchaeus' house. Of course the Hebrews were shocked to hear that because tax collectors were regarded as traitors or sinners.
The priest continued to explain that Jesus just gave us a story about how we must yield to His command. When He asked Zacchaeus to climb down the tree, that was actually asking him to descend from his being powerful and rich. Zacchaeus readily gave up half of his wealth.
Then the priest posed more questions, Can you do a Zacchaeus? Can you readily climb down the tree and give up half your wealth?
I mentally assessed my wealth. I had much to spare! Can I give half of it? Probably not. I am comfortable with my life. If I give half of it, I would be poor.
I am no Zacchaeus! In Hebrew, the name means pure. Ergo, I am not pure!
I have much introspection to do. Why? Well the last question the priest posed was Does your life reflect your faith?
4 people like this
10 responses
@lovinangelsinstead21 (36850)
• Pamplona, Spain
31 Oct 10
Hiya eileen,
That´s a nice part of the Bible it tells us all something. We can all take it different ways of course.
Does my life reflect my faith? It does in some ways but because I am human with failings then anyone can conclude that it´s not perfect at all.
I think we are all different and our Faith manifests in different ways to others. Bit O do know what you mean.
1 person likes this
@lovinangelsinstead21 (36850)
• Pamplona, Spain
31 Oct 10
Eileen the last bit is funny because I corrected it and the page jumped and I pressed the correct submit but it has come up with those writing mistakes on the bottom. Supposed to read like this But I know what you mean. Strange things going on today could it be Halloween (grin). Take care now. Sue.xxx
1 person likes this
@eileenleyva (27562)
• Philippines
1 Nov 10
Hi Angel, I do believe that each one of us were born perfect, even if others had hare lips, or missing toes, or beset by autism or down syndrome. We commit errors along the way, but those are part and parcel of the whole package called life. Without human frailty, there is no life at all. So, smile!, you are perfectly beautiful, even with the typographical errors up there. Love you, Angel!
@lovinangelsinstead21 (36850)
• Pamplona, Spain
21 Nov 10
Hiya eileen,
Thanks for those nice words. I just wish we were able to correct those mistakes sometimes. I spot them right away sometimes but it´s too late after (grin).
Love you too Eileen.
You are right we are all full of human fragility even though we were born with everything possible.
1 person likes this
@risk_taker20 (2096)
• Philippines
2 Nov 10
It was 2 decades ago I think that I last climb a tree....but still climbing the tree that God has given me to reach.
1 person likes this
@eileenleyva (27562)
• Philippines
2 Nov 10
Wow, ain't that a great thing to say! I will forever remember you for that!
@lingli_78 (12822)
• Australia
1 Nov 10
i never climb a tree in my whole life as i am very scared... i think my life doesn't reflect my faith yet... it is still so far from it... in fact, i still commit serious sin every now and then which i regret very very much after that... and i don't know why i do it... i just do it sub-consciously and i ask God for forgiveness... i try to learn from my lesson and not to repeat the same mistake again... i am working towards becoming a better person and to live a Holy life... take care and have a nice day...
1 person likes this
@eileenleyva (27562)
• Philippines
1 Nov 10
Still an irrepressible young man thou art, aren't you? Okay, don't dwell on the past sins, they had been done. Resolve not to do them again. Pray hard so you will be strong enough to resist the temptation.
Look! here's your guardian angel
who will watch over you!
who will watch over you!
@nangisha (3496)
• Indonesia
1 Nov 10
Hi Eileenleyva!.
Its a long times times since the last times I climb for the tree. I think its about 5 years ago when my neighbor cut her last fruit tree I usually climb we so many fruit ripen.
They allow to climb it because they can not do it by them self and its will funny to see 50 years old granny to climb a tree.
Being a Christian its never an easy step but God know all our weakness and we can try our best not to make our God in shame because our life.
@eileenleyva (27562)
• Philippines
1 Nov 10
I do agree, nangisha, being a Christian entails climbing and descending trees. God gave us trees so we can live our lives to the fullest...
But be careful now, if ever there is an urge to climb a tree again...
@crimiloilo123 (77)
• Philippines
1 Nov 10
Well I do not think that I should believe what they say.."only monkey climb trees"
It was in my high school days that I remember I climb a tree.It was happen when I am still sophomore student in my school days.In our campus where lots of mango trees around and I climb one to get some fruits that my classmates who are girls ask me if I can climb and get some mangoes.Suddenly when our school principal shouted us not to climb but I was already in the tree that around 14 feet high and my classmates run away,and I really have no choice but to jump and also run away.Until next day we saw that there is already a slogan to that tree I climbed "only monkey climb trees"
I cam do nothing but just smile and laugh when we together with my classmates talk about it.
1 person likes this
@eileenleyva (27562)
• Philippines
1 Nov 10
I don't mind being called a monkey. At least I get to eat the fruits. Shame on that principal who cannot even post a sane slogan. But of course you know that she was not just concerned with your stealing the mangoes but your safety as well. Anyway, kudos to such a happy memory. Glad you did not break a leg, ha ha!
@ehmghie19 (18)
• Philippines
1 Nov 10
Hi eileen...
Your question was a little bit easy to answer but hard to explain.
Why I said that because it made me think "when was the last time I climbed a tree"?
Literally meaning it's easy but when I continue reading your article there's more deep question.Am I right..Well I will answer first when was the last time I climb a tree..Just two days ago in the tree of soursop,why? I am looking for the cocoons of a butterfly..Well continuing in your real question like what you said you cannot give your wealth maybe me too because now a days it's really hard to earn money and you will just give it to the others that you don't know, maybe I will share a little but not too much.For the last question of the priest Does your life reflect your faith? My answer would be definitely Yes!. Because everyday of my life He didn't forgot me and my family He continue give blessing to me and my family and I am grateful and thankful to him...He is indeed always here to guide and help us..Amen..
1 person likes this
@eileenleyva (27562)
• Philippines
1 Nov 10
Thanks ehm, for taking time to explain. Why were you looking for a butterfly cocoon on a guyabano? tree? Be careful, there are lots of itchy caterpillars these days...
Anyway, you and I had been thinking of ourselves first, but that is not bad. We have to love ourselves before we can love others. But when you do get rich, promise me you would help our poor neighbors...every which way you can ha!
@lampar (7584)
• United States
1 Nov 10
Rich and wealthy people don't necessary have to give half of their riches in order to help the needy, they have the free choice given by God to decide whether they want to give or receive, it doesn't necessary means they are not kind and good individual. Many wealthy people do give less than ten percent of their riches to the charity annually, that itself is a good deed in the eye of Jesus, and will receive blessing from his father. It may not satisfy the demand of the priest and church but i am sure it will means a lot to many needy people in this desperate world. It is quite an unfortunate thought on the part of this ancient priest to think this way since he doesn't see a suit clad CEO climb a tree, then there is no rich or powerful people climb tree, both are mutually exclusion events. A suit clad CEO doesn't necessary means he is rich and powerful, neither is rich or powerful people will climb tree wearing suit and tie, it is such a bad analogy and comparison he used to illustrate his point....hahaha.... 
@lampar (7584)
• United States
2 Nov 10
I would not considered my statement as trying to defend the rich or the powerful. I am just stating a fact that most of the priests don't know, Sometimes, some rich or powerful men did donate to the needy without shouting out loud on the street or go on a public announcement to tell the whole world they are contributing their wealth, some just do their charitable acts quietly without anybody noticing. As far as i am concerned, i happened to be one of them, so the priests need to chill and realize that not everyone charitable man conduct charitable act in the same way. ...haha...
@eileenleyva (27562)
• Philippines
2 Nov 10
Okay lampar, how many priests do you know that you can come up with a statement that most of them don't know... Statistics wise , there is one priest for every 57 thousand people in my country. And we are something like 93 million plus. Do you really believe that a priest can stand in front of crowd and simply blab about things they don't know, including how the rich lives?
lampar, again I say, I have no issue against the rich, and how they quietly help the needy. Such act is to be admired, and such act will give them a pass to heaven. The discussion at hand is Can you give half of your wealth like Zacchaeus? Can you, lampar?
Read the story of the widow's mite, it would humble the rich, if they are not callous!
@eileenleyva (27562)
• Philippines
1 Nov 10
Hi lampar, the metaphor was all right, perhaps you are just trying to defend the rich and the powerful. I have no issue against them. In fact, I admire Bill Gates for trying desperately to get rid of his wealth, but it overwhelmingly compounds each day, to his distress.
Or, are you rich?, and couldn't let go? Read the story of the widow's mite. You would probably understand the lesson Jesus wanted us to do.
@eileenleyva (27562)
• Philippines
2 Nov 10
Ikaw talaga, ang dami ko na ngang kaaway! Hmmph! 
Help me out, please!
Help me out, please!1 person likes this
@gnomeland (421)
•
1 Nov 10
well i have to say i am a fun mum and in my 40's i still climb trees just because one day i will not be able to. i have'nt got much money but am just about getting by which is why myself and my family were having a free walk up the local hill and i was climbing trees.
1 person likes this
@eileenleyva (27562)
• Philippines
1 Nov 10
Very funny gnome, I'd join you up the trees, if I ever get to your place.... Oh how I wish...
@eileenleyva (27562)
• Philippines
1 Nov 10
Is the tree still there? Perhaps it is time to climb again...
