What Draws Your Thoughts to God?

I have this little cross made out of a bullet that I picked up somewhere.  I was drawn to it because of its paradoxical symbolism. The cross rises up out of the bullet, and together it forms one unit.

What do you think when you see it? 

To me it feels as if good triumphed over evil.  The bullet, immediately represents war to me (sorry hunters), and the power of the cross overtaking it, a symbol of triumph.

Maybe you see it as representative of struggle.

Maybe you think about the person who was moved to create it.

Symbols can lead our imagination to a whole host of different ideas.  They draw us into themselves as we ponder their meaning.

Throughout history, signs and symbols have had a special place in the sacraments of the Church; our very sacramental celebrations are “woven from signs and symbols.” (*CCC 1145)

We use signs and symbols to communicate with each other by our language, gestures and actions (CCC 1146).  It makes sense that God uses the very creation around us to speak to us, since we perceive things through our senses. In our worship we enjoy the beauty of our churches and the “smells and bells” that direct our attention to God.  

The seven sacraments of the Catholic Church (Baptism, Confirmation, Eucharist, Reconciliation, Anointing of the Sick, Matrimony, Holy Orders) which have been revealed by God, enjoy various signs and symbols which are rich in history and meaning. 

But when speaking of the sacramental life of the Church, our language shifts beyond mere signs and symbols.  Christ is present in the sacraments.  Whenever a sacrament is celebrated, Christ is there.  And when we speak about the Eucharist, or Holy Communion, in particular, we never refer to it as a symbol, for we understand that Jesus is fully present under the appearance of bread and wine.

What draws your thoughts to God?

Janet Cassidy

Janetcassidy.com

*CCC = Catechism of the Catholic Church; definition

For more information on the specific signs/symbols, visit this website

For more information on the seven sacraments, visit this website