Sunday, October 2, 2011

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.....

        "The Church is a cultivated field, the tillage of God.  On that land
the ancient olive tree grows whose holy roots were the prophets and in
which the reconciliation of Jews and Gentiles has been brought about
and will be brought about again.  That land, like a choice vineyard, has
been planted by the heavenly cultivator.  Yet the true vine is Christ
who gives life and fruitfulness to the branches, that is, to us, who
through the Church remain in Christ,, without whom we can do nothing.

        "Often, too, the Church is called the building of God.  The Lord
compared himself to the stone which the builders rejected, but which was
made into the corner-stone.  On this foundation the Church is built by
the apostles and from it the Church receives solidity and unity.  This
edifice has many names to describe the house of God in which his family dwells;
the household of God in the Spirit; the dwelling-place of God among men;
and, especially, the holy temple.  This temple, symbolized in places of
worship built out of stone, is praised by the Fathers and, not without
reason, is compared in the liturgy to the Holy City, the New Jerusalem.  As
living stones we here on earth are built into it.  It is this holy city that
is seen by John as it comes down out of heaven from God when the world is made
anew, prepared like a bride adorned for her husband.

       -- Catechism of the Catholic Church
          paragraphs 753, 755, 756

October 2nd is traditionally celebrated at the Feast of the Guardian
Angels (when it doesn't fall on Sunday) and so we pray:

       Angel of God, my guardian dear,
       To whom God's love commits me here,
       Ever this day be at my side,
       To light and guard, to rule and guide.  Amen.