SYMBOLS

SYMBOLS

Symbolically the Feast of the Epiphany is the official end of Christmas. After today it is the time to remove all symbols: the manger, the Christmas tree, the lanterns, the poinsettias, Santa Clause, the reindeers, the snowman and the most important and most relevant symbol, the star.

We shall be discarding Christmas in our lives until another year. But no matter what we the do the star shall remain. It may no longer be visible at daytime but during dark, dark night the star is most bright.

Christmas is our light, our hope, our guide so that when we are in the dark all we need to do is look up and we shall be properly guided by the twinkling star for Christ shall be born again in our hearts.

As the feast of Saint Valentine approaches we shall be creating new symbol – the heart which in turn becomes the symbol of love. If Christ is symbolized by the star then we can say that the star also is the symbol of love because as we all know Christ is love that we must focus our lives on Christ.

The heart as a symbol of love is important too because the heart brings about trust. If you don’t trust the one you love, your heart shall be beating erratically. Love is also symbolized by a fresh red rose to show the fragility, the sensitivity and the freshness of love to keep it alive and healthy.

A ring also symbolizes love because the ring has no beginning or end. It is just a continuous circle that goes on and on without obstacle as love should be. A more popular symbol of love is Cupid for his youthfulness as love should never grow old; for his nakedness since love should be truthful and covers nothing; for his valor as shown by his bow and arrow, to face life’s challenges.

After Valentine’s Day is the Holy week with all the interpretations of God’s love in the way of the Cross. First, the love of Jesus is remindful. During the Last Supper He told His disciples “Do this in memory of Me”. Second, the love of Jesus is obedient. He said “Thy will be done”. Third, The love of Jesus is courageous. He accepted the verdict of death at the Sanhedrin. Fourth, the love of Jesus is persevering. He persevered the scourging at the pillar and crowning with thorns.

Fifth, the love of Jesus is strong. He carried the heavy cross. Sixth, the love of Jesus is patient. He fell down with the heavy cross, stood up again and continued walking with it. Seventh, the love of Jesus is helpful. He allowed Simon Cireneo to help him carry the cross. Eight, the love of Jesus is understanding. He told the women of Jerusalem:”Don’t cry for me, cry for yourselves and your children”.

Ninth, the love of Jesus is truthful and forgiving. During the Crucifixion He allowed Himself to be stripped naked to bare the truth then He shouted “Father, Forgive them for they know not what they are doing”. Tenth, the love of Jesus is caring. Before He died He told Dimas: “Today you will be with me in Paradise”. Eleventh, the love of Jesus is trusting. From the cross He said: “Woman, behold your son. Son, behold Your mother”.

Twelfth, the love of Jesus is redeeming. He died to save the whole world. Thirteenth, the love of Jesus is peaceful. He allowed His holy and blessed body to be laid peacefully in the tomb. Fourteenth, the love of Jesus is triumphant. He resurrected from the dead.

The whole year round is an expression of God’s love for us symbolically expressed in different manners. But God is expecting us to love Him in return not symbolically but truthfully and genuinely.