Day 106: Symbols of the Church

In Scripture, we find a host of interrelated images and figures through which Revelation speaks of the inexhaustible mystery of the Church. the images taken from the Old Testament are variations on a profound theme: the People of God. In the New Testament, all these images find a new center because Christ has become the head of this people, which henceforth is his Body. Around this center are grouped images taken "from the life of the shepherd or from cultivation of the land, from the art of building or from family life and marriage." CCC 753

In today's reading, the Catechism speaks of the many symbols for the Church that are used in Scripture. The Catechism Compendium summarizes many of these:

In Sacred Scripture, we find many images which bring out various complementary aspects of the mystery of the Church. The Old Testament favors those images that are bound to the people of God. The New Testament offers images that are linked to Christ as the Head of this people which is his Body. Other images are drawn from pastoral life (sheepfold, flock, sheep), from agriculture (field, olive grove, vineyard), from construction (dwelling place, stone, temple), and from family life (spouse, mother, family). (#148)

Jesus as the True Vine and members of His Church as the branches (Jn 15:1-10) is perhaps one of my favorites, partly because I really like the icon shown below. Christ is the Head and the only name through which we can be saved. The Church is His Body, even though at times many of us may be really terrible witnesses for Him. As the Catechism Companion, Vol I notes:

Some amazing saints have lived up to the Church's teachings, while some terrible sinners have not. Jesus is the one savior... There is no salvation through any other name or person in the world... It is essential to remember that Christ loves the Church, and we are called to have hearts that love as he loves. We are called to have hearts that love Christ's Church. (p. 216)

I'm reminded of the story of how Cardinal Consalvi, Pope Pius VII's Secretary of State, responded to Napoleon's boast that he could destroy the Church:

“If, in 1,800 years, we, the clergy, have not managed to destroy the Church, do you really believe that you will be able to do it?”

In like manner, try as we might, we will never make Jesus' promise in Matthew 16:18 into a lie. The Church is the "spotless spouse of the spotless lamb" (CCC 757) and He will always prevail.

Icon of Christ as the True Vine

Jesus is the Tree of Life: Scripture provides us with many symbols of the Church, of Christ's relationship to his people. One such image is portrayed here. Jesus is the vine, and we are the branches. He gives us life and vitality, whereas being cut off from him brings death. (p. 217)