Living Sacraments Symbols + Rituals

5 characteristics of symbols + explain

Physical

• Observable Realities, we can SEE + TOUCH them

  • Flowers

Represent Abstract/invisible qualities

• Convey a deeper meaning than what is seen

  • U.S. Flag

A Language

• Enables us to express things that are difficult/impossible to put into words + Help us say our deepest reality/thoughts/feeling

• Express things that cannot be put into words alone

  • Tears, A hug

Evoke Emotion/Feelings

• Touch our hearts/soul

• Evoke/stir up a response

  • Happy, sad, proud

Layers of Meaning

• Can gain/loose meaning

  • A necklace gains meaning when a dead loved one once gave you something but can loose meaning if someone just sees it as a necklace, don’t know the history

Symbolic Images of God the Father + Explain

• Isaiah describes God the Father as a mother comforting her child, as well as the wealth of a Nation

• Jesus describes God the Father as the women making the dough (after describing the KoG as yeast)

• Jesus describes God the Father as a women searching for a coin she lost

Symbolic Language + Why we use it when we speak to/abt God

Express what is deepest + most important to us

• God is always beyond words, He is too awesome for words alone

Similarities + Diff of Symbols + Rituals Explain

Similarities

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Differences

What are the diff of Routines + Rituals, why are each important

Right Brain

Symbolic thinking, creative, artistic, intuitive side

• Essential for understanding relationships, Sacraments, symbols, faith, worship, parables, images of God, singing + dancing

Left Brain

Literal thinking, analytical, orderly

• Important for

  • Piolets

  • Surgons

  • Scientists

  • Architects

Cultural Symbols Explain

• Depend on a particular situation, place or group

• Meaning is lost/changes out of context

Cultural Symbols Examples

• In my own life

  • A garnet necklace birthstone that my gran gave me and we share our birthday so I think abt her every time I wear it

• Crucifix

• Trophy

• Yellow

• Uniform

Why is Eucharist NOT a Symbol

Or’ant

• Ancient symbol found on the walls of catacombs

• Prayer position of outstretched arms

• One praying is opening up to God’s will + praising Him

• Often position for the Lord’s Prayer + used in liturgy

Chi Rho

• 2 letters of the Greek alphabet

  • 1st 2 letters of the word Christ

• Became popular during Emperor Constantine at the end of Christian persecution in 313 (Edict of Milan)

• Increase of # of ppl being baptized + claiming Christianity

Alpha + Omega

• 1st and Last letters of the Greek alphabet

• Book of Revelation

  • “I am the Alpha + Omega, the beginning + the end

• Give us hope in Jesus

  • Jesus existed before this suffering + Jesus will be here long after the suffering

IXOYE (Fish)

• Acronym for Greek Word Fish

  • Jesus

  • Christ

  • Son of

  • God Savior

• Used in Early Church during a time of persecution to communicate a safe place for Christians

Universal Symbols

Recognized throughout the world because everyone can relate to them, they are from the natural world

• Have complex + contradictory Meaning

Universal Symbols Examples

• Water

  • Substance of life, but can also kill you

• Fire

  • Cozy, but can kill you

• Earth

  • Pretty, gives life, but can also destroy (volcano)

Catacombs

Ancient underground burial sites under walls of cities from 300-400 AD were Christians were buried during persecution + became a place of worship bc the Romans wouldn’t go down