Anecdotes of Father Santan Pinto, SOLT

The Murmuring Pine

Fifty miles south of Anchorage, Alaska was a tiny hill range on which grew pines. For those not familiar with Alaska, the growing season is comparatively limited to summer - around five months. With the quantity of snow, the storms, the constant changing temperatures: for any tree to make it to become a noticeable pine was a something to talk about. Among trees - the older and seasoned - would brag to the younger about their experiences. As time went by each tree would update these past episodes - very much like those who take other people’s song and change the tune. In addition, there are those who are so creative that every time you meet them they have a new story to tell you. I often wondered if people preferred fiction to the truth. How often in this kind of story telling, or sharing of experiences the chief objective was how unique this experience was - often bordering on the impossible, the heroic, and the exceptional!

When MP, short for the Murmuring Pine, was young Alaska experienced one of the worst winters. There were many avalanches and consequently many trees were uprooted and were quickly sold to the loggers. How often the loggers would pass by MP and they wondered if MP would ever grow - he was so little. The reason why his parents named him MP was that he complained a great deal. His entire body was not only little but twisted. Where he was situated on the hill was on the path of the wind channels. Besides his complaining the branches would make a kind of whispering sound which sounded like murmuring. This is the reason why everyone called him the “the Murmuring Pine” or MP. He wasn’t like the rest of the kids. He was meticulous in what he wore, how he grew. He was polite in his speech and very obedient to his parents and elders. Yet when this tragedy befell him, MP isolated himself and wouldn’t talk to anyone. His loss was great. He felt robbed of life. His entire world crumbled down. He has none to guide him. How would he ever survive the winters! His grief was considerable. Why had God left him alone to witness this misery? He often thought to himself, “I too will one day fall at winter or maybe a kind woodcutter would cut me down for firewood. There was no chance any logger would ever look at me and consider me useful for anything.”

Years passed by and MP grew but a few feet. Yet there was something attractive about him. When the Creator thought of him, he had a special plan for him. This purpose unknown to the rest of the world was a secret hidden in MP. Those who were tuned to goodness could recognize this great gift that MP hid within his being. MP had countless visitors that came and rested in his branches, or in his shade. No one who ever came to visit MP left the same person - they would be changed! MP in his own way spoke to his visitors the need to see everything through the eyes of goodness. In a world where many were negative - and some even called them “sour dough”. MP wondered why people were negative? How could one continue to live with this negative attitude? Why were people so blind that they refused to see the goodness of their Creator? If anyone had a right to be negative it was MP. He has lost everyone and for years he had no friends. Those who were much younger to him grew so fast. As time passes by the loggers would come and log off all the trees but refused to cut MP. Hurt by this rejection and constant neglect MP turned to the Lord for help. What is the destiny of creatures?

MP over heard a talk of the great pines. Some were fashioned into different kinds of furniture. Most were used for building houses; a few were selected for ships. There were those who were burned in a stove, in a pit, or because of the forest fires. One lucky tree years ago was chosen and made into a cross on which many thought that a criminal was nailed to. Years later this man was recognized as the Son of God. It is to the trees that the Creator had commanded to bear fruit in due season, multiply, and spread throughout the earth. All of creation was always obedient to the Lord and his decrees. Yet it is the selfishness that in Man that questioned this directive. Man chooses to abuse creation often for his own selfish interests. It is on account of the rebelliousness in man that creation began to groan for salvation. Somehow because of Man’s sin creation lost its balance. Deprived of its harmony creation turned to the Lord and sought for help. By the death of Jesus on the cross all of creation was redeemed by this eternal sacrifice. Yet in the mean time the whole of creation continues to groan to attain the salvation that is the final goal of their existence.

During the cold, dark nights of winter how often MP would look into the sky. The many lights that decorated the horizon, the gentle sound of the wind as it whispered through its pines, and occasionally the scattered flames that rouse from the oil fields - all this beauty lifted MP’s heart to praise the Creator. Somehow in the depths of its conscious MP knew there was much more to its existence than just being another pine. When all the others were chatting about their future and what they wanted to become MP chose to think of the plans the Creator had for it. How could the Creator, being infinite, all knowing, and all present ever create something useless or less perfect? How easy it was for all the other pines to judge everyone based on outward appearances? Although the young trees that grew up to become tall laughed at MP and made fun of him, all the birds loved MP for in his own way he was a hope for many especially when the winds were strong and the snow fell persistently.

How often birds that had lost their way in a blizzard would pause and without fail they could hear the becoming call of MP as his shrill murmur or whisper pieced the icy terrain. Even the loggers in the area would use MP as a location sign; he was so easy to find out among all the trees. Yes all the other trees were useful but MP was special.

One day, an artist flying in a helicopter, spotted MP and asked his pilot to let him in a nearby clearance. He hurried up the hill where he knew this tree lay hidden among the tall pine trees. As the stranger approached the other pines in wonderment inquired of each other, “Who is this person and what does she want here?” One of the trees suggested, “Maybe she is attracted by us because of our strength and fine fur. Where else could anyone find such elegant trees in the whole wide world?” The other trees swayed in agreement and in their conceit were caught up in their own glory. They forget about the artist for some time. They were awoken from their dream when one of the tall trees after bending down saw to its amazement what the artist was painting. Hearing the shrill cry of this pine shocked the entire forest. All inquired about the reason why the pine had given this shrill cry. With a silent groan and with much disappointment written on its face the pine muttered, “She is painting ugly MP - what a waste of time and talent. It could have been used in some profitable endeavor!”

The artist chose MP as a masterpiece to speak to his telemarketing clients the strength that lies behind team spirit, knotting together with the same goals and objectives, and the power in just being little. After all that is said and done, what is the company that ends being victorious? It is that which stands tall after the storm passes by. MP recalled how the Lord spoke of those who listened to his teachings and acted accordingly were like those who build their house on rock. This executive taught the world the values that the world has rejected. Where were all the kings and their kingdoms that boasted like the tall pines? How easy it is for the world to forget that it adores! In the silence of his heart, MP knew that to the little the Lord truly reveals the mysteries of the Kingdom.

Ridiculed by his family and family MP kept murmuring. For he knew that his murmur was a hymn of praise to the Creator who made him with much love and tenderness. For years, MP reigned on these hills. His story was told to every pine. The artist brought many executives to witness this twisted tree. All who ever had a chance to see MP returned with thanks in their heart! Somehow and in some way this tree had changed their lives. None would be the same again. Deep in the heart of every person, there is a fear of rejection. How many little ones fear just being little or handicapped. Here before their eyes was a living witness of the great wonder of the Master. Here in the wilderness was a gem that spoke of the greatness of God.

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