Catholicism Transcends Worldly Symbols

Throughout most of civilization, people have clamored around a visual aide that identified a certain group.  I am not sure when it became a global trend, but all countries today fly a unique national flag. Many of these “identifiers” are harmless in their meaning.  A team’s mascot, a retailer’s logo, my neighbor’s metal silhouette of a Sasquatch; they represent no evil.  In ancient times some symbols were considered sacred, like the Egyptian scarab, or revered, like the Roman SPQR and the vexillum (the identifying standard of a legion). Even statues, we know, were seen as being inhabited by pagan gods.

In recent times, however, we have seen symbols, sacred symbols, degraded and made most vulgar.  The KKK burned crosses, making it a symbol of hatred and fear.  The National Socialist Party of Germany appropriated the ancient Eurasian swastika (a symbol for good luck).  And, since 1977, the LGBTQ+ movement has seized the rainbow; a symbol indicating God would never again flood the earth.   For over two thousand years, groups have rallied around visuals of one kind or another, causing equal unity and division.

As unity is not always good (e.g. the Tower of Babel), symbolic division is not always bad.  God used an external symbol (circumcision) when he chose Abraham to be the Father of a nation that would be devoted to him, and him alone. This was a visual sign of a covenant between God and the seed of Abraham. Yet this visual, we must keep in mind, did not make a Hebrew a Hebrew, per se.  St. Paul noted, “For he is not a Jew who is one outwardly; neither is that circumcision which is outward in the flesh; but he is a Jew who is one inwardly; and circumcision is that of the heart.” (Romans 2:28-29).  Likewise, since the time of Christ, God instituted the public and salvific symbol of Baptism. Whether the world can “see” a sign of conversion matters not; it is what God sees in the depths of our heart that identifies us to him.  The state of the internal heart is the apex symbol.

Humans, however, care more about the outside.  The more materialistic (or vain) humans become, the greater the spiritual aspect of the heart shrivels against appearances.  Jesus said, so many times and in so many ways, don’t get attached to external representations.  One reason is that they hide hypocrisy.  In Matthew 23:27 Jesus likened the hypocritical Scribes and Pharisees to “beautiful tombstones that cover bones and filth.”  Appearances can deceive humans; it cannot deceive God.   True worship is first spiritual, then manifested outwardly.

Of all the worlds stars, stripes, crescents and rainbows there is only one distinguishing mark that matters; those whom Jesus calls his children, and those he disowns (John 10:26-27).  At the end of the world, God will send an angel to separate who?  The Democrats from the Republicans?  No.  He will see the symbol that separates the “wicked from the righteous” (Matthew 13:49). 

Did you ever notice that during Jesus’ ministry he was never politically active?  At a moment in time when politics was hotly and violently contested, Jesus kept his distance from the fray. He did not protest for universal healthcare; he healed the sick.  He did not cry out for state-funded welfare; he fed the hungry.  As some Judeans (the Zealots) called for a revolution against Rome; he went about the Father’s business in the Temple.  His choices upset everyone who was focused solely on this world.  Jesus sided with righteousness.   

Today, in America, we see more division than unity, with everyone flying their own identity flag. Hypocrites, particularly in the political arena, entice the gullible with external shows and shallow words that appeal to our base human nature.  President Biden touts his Catholic-Irish roots, but prefers worldly politics to the teachings of the Church.  Former President Trump is selling a “God bless the US” Bible which, at the least, is profane.  And if I might add, what right do we have to say “God bless America” with over 60,000,000 abortions under our collective belt since 1973?  We should be begging God to forgive America, and not audaciously demanding that he “bless” us.

Be leery of promoting public symbols - whether visual or audio - that could hinder your mission from God.  Be doubly leery of those who use good symbols for evil intentions; Jesus warned of wolves in sheep clothing. The assertion of a worldly identity is a human trait that is closely tied to pride. This we must be vigilant against.  St. Paul was a proud Pharisee at one time, but he matured as a follower of Jesus Christ and became humbled.  He learned what should and should not be included in his missionary toolbox, saying, When I am with those who are weak, I share their weakness, for I want to bring the weak to Christ. Yes, I try to find common ground with everyone, doing everything I can to save some. (I Cor. 9:22).  

The Spirit discerns, but only the Word has the right to divide. 

For the word of God is alive and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart. (Hebrews 4:12)