An ancient writer compared a flourishing person to a tree.1  The tree was characterized by five attributes: rooted, by a stream, bears fruit in season, leaf does not wither, all it does prospers.

It has been suggested that there are two things that can pierce the soul: beauty and suffering. When the two are bound together in a single unity the effect becomes breathtaking. 

The Sound of Silence is a song written by Simon and Garfunkel and performed with eerie excellence by the band, Disturbed.

The week just prior to “Palm Sunday” is probably one of the most solemn weeks in the year for me.  I find that I am filled with great grief during this week – every year.