The tree of life

The tree of life is one of the symbols present in several of the Holy Scriptures that make up the Bible. The meaning of the tree of life is deeply related to eternal life. It is a symbol of immortality of the souls of those who have followed the path of the Word of God.  

• 1. Meaning of the tree of life in the Catholic Church
• 2. Cross of Christ, the symbol of the tree of life
• 3. The Tree of Life in the Bible
• 4. Trees as symbols for the human being

Meaning of the tree of life in the Catholic Church

The meaning of the tree of life and its fruits are related to eternal life in Paradise.

What the tree of life means in the Catholic Church is determined by the appearance of this concept in three of the books of the Holy Scriptures (the Book of Genesis, the book of Proverbs and the book of Revelation)

In the phrases of the Book of Genesis it is revealed how the human being lost the right to eat the fruits of the tree of life.

In the other passages of the Holy Scriptures, the appearance of the tree of life is linked with the return to God, with the approach of sinners to eternal life following the Word of God.

In the book of Revelation the tree of life has various meanings with the arrival of the end times.

It is remembered that the tree of life is still in Paradise, very close to the Eternal Kingdom of God. All those faithful who can persevere with love, humility, and faith in God will be able to eat the fruit of the tree of life.

It is also said that the fruit of the tree of life will be unlimited, all the children of God who have reached the privilege of eating the fruit of the tree of life will be able to be satisfied without limit. The harvests of the tree of life will be abundant.

Finally, the fruit of the tree of life is spoken of as the reward of those who dedicate their lives to the word of Christ. The prize for those who follow the Christian faith with true devotion will be opening the gates of Paradise and can enjoy the fruit of the tree of life.

The Cross of Christ, the symbol of the tree of life

The tree of life is mentioned numerous times in the Bible. Its meaning, as we have seen, is related to eternal life.

The Cross of Christ is another of the fundamental symbols in the Catholic faith linked to the Resurrection and, therefore, to eternal life.

In the Sacred Texts, the Cross of Christ is not related to the tree of life, but is linked to trees.

Both symbols are related. The tree of life and the Cross of Christ are symbols of eternal life, the tools that God puts at our disposal to achieve eternal life at his side.

Humanity condemns itself by picking the forbidden fruit from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil. Adam and Eve lose the right to eternal life by disobeying God.

Christ, the Son of God, restores the hope of eternal life with his fidelity to the word of God, surrenders his life by the mandate of his Father.

In this way, we humans once again recover the hope of eternal life, of the Resurrection, of the fruit of the tree of life.

Christ's death on the Cross washes away the sin committed in the Garden of Eden. The Blood and Body of Christ sacrificed for the greater glory of Our Lord open the gates of paradise again to people who follow the word of God.

We can also relate the Paschal Candle with the Cross and the tree of life. The Resurrection of Christ is a door to eternal life next to God.

The Tree of Life in the Bible

The presence of the tree of life in the Bible is centered in the Book of Genesis, the book of Proverbs and the book of Revelation.

The tree of life in the Book of Genesis.

The Book of Genesis is the first book of the Bible, the first book of the Old Testament. In this part of the Holy Scriptures, you can read about the world’s creation, the appearance of sin and its consequences, and Abraham's covenant with God.

In the Book of Genesis, we discover that the tree of life was in the middle of the garden of Eden, next to the tree of the knowledge of good and evil. God created these two trees and many others, but these two trees were special.

The fruits of the tree of life were what kept Adam and Eve from getting old or sick.

While the fruits of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil were forbidden to the inhabitants of the Garden of Eden. Adam and Eve, under no circumstances, should take the fruit of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil.

Even though God's warning was clear, Adam and Eve disobeyed God and ate the forbidden fruit, the fruit of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil. As a consequence of this decision, Adam and Eve committed the first sin and were expelled from Paradise. Eternal life in Paradise was over for them. From that moment on, they would get sick, they would grow old and have to earn their bread with the sweat of their brow.

The tree of life in the book of Proverbs

The book of Proverbs gives Christians instructions and advice to live a life close to God. A life is full of grace and faith.

In this context, the tree of life is mentioned at different times. In these passages, other actions are identified with the tree of life.

One of them states that it is important to follow the Word of God. Those who follow the path of faith will be able to enjoy the fruit of the tree of life, of eternal life close to God.

In another the verses, it can be read the importance of acting justly. We are approaching the tree of life by carrying out actions that bring justice to the other members of humanity and us.

Fulfilling long-awaited desires is the tree of life. The objectives that follow the Word of God and are achieved are the tree of life.

On the other hand, it is also highlighted that the word is a very powerful element. The word pronounced in the right way and at the right time can bring relief to the listeners and us. The book of Proverbs tells us that the words that give affection, that provide love and comfort, are the tree of life.

The Tree of Life in the Book of Revelation

The book of Revelation is the last of the books of the Bible. In this part, you can read about the inevitable arrival of the end of time.

The tree of life appears in several verses during the book of Revelation. Unlike the previous two books, this part of the Holy Scriptures focuses more on the meaning of the tree of life. It does not talk about its location or the actions the faithful must take to be close to the word of God.

Trees as symbols for the human being

The meaning of the tree of life in the Bible and the Catholic Church originates in the relationship that human beings have had with trees throughout their existence.

Men's connection with their environment has been complex and has varied greatly from one place to another. But, in general, we can affirm that trees, since time immemorial, have had a vital importance for human beings both from a spiritual and earthly point of view.

This is why the tree, and many other plant elements, have been central elements within religious beliefs. Trees symbolize protection, a safeguarding element, transposing the physical shelter to the spiritual world. The trees is a source of refuge and security. For example, in Celtic culture, trees were worshipped as gods. The Celts understood that trees protected them from the rain and sun and gave them food.

Many cultures have also used them to symbolize the union between the two worlds, the earthly world and that of the spirits (or the dead). The trees' height and ascent towards the sky have been seen throughout the centuries as a symbol of closeness to the afterlife.

In other places, trees have been the symbol of the very life of living beings. The roots of the tree are the symbol of birth, of origin. The trunk represents life, the walk of a living being through the world. And finally, the branches symbolize the different paths that the decisions generate.