Vatican II at 50 - Symbolically Speaking
The landscape at Toomer’s Corner on the campus of Auburn University looks a little different now. Two famous oak trees were cut down last week after being poisoned by a fan from rival Alabama two years ago. For decades, Tiger fans have gathered to celebrate football victories by rolling the trees with toilet paper. Besides providing shade and rest for weary college students, the trees have served as hosts to parties celebrating everything from graduations to marriage proposals. Thus, the trees have been icons of relationships. Standing at the corner where the campus meets downtown Auburn, the trees have become a symbol to the community of the spirit of Auburn. As athletic director David Housel said, "These oak trees are but an outward visible symbol of the Auburn heart.”
Like the oak trees, liturgical symbols are outward signs. They help us to better understand our faith. We can easily relate to liturgical symbols because they are derived from ordinary life. For example, we understand the cleansing and renewing power of baptism because we know the cleansing and renewing power of water. We can appreciate the healing and strengthening oil used in the Anointing of the Sick because we have experienced the healing and strengthening that comes with rubbing lotions and salves on our rough or wounded skin.
Vatican II called for abundance in the use of our symbols. An often quoted quip used to reflect on liturgical symbols is, “If this symbol could speak, what would it say?” The bigger the symbols, the better they teach. Symbols express what is inexpressible by words alone. Perhaps the strongest symbol, according to the Council is the community itself. Vatican II says the presence of Christ is found in the gathered community. Like the Auburn Oaks, we too stand at a corner—the corner where the Spirit meets the marketplace. May we, like the oak trees, be icons of memory and merrymaking. Rooted in Christ, may we offer shade to the weary and gather others into relationship with divine love. Amen.
Like the oak trees, liturgical symbols are outward signs. They help us to better understand our faith. We can easily relate to liturgical symbols because they are derived from ordinary life. For example, we understand the cleansing and renewing power of baptism because we know the cleansing and renewing power of water. We can appreciate the healing and strengthening oil used in the Anointing of the Sick because we have experienced the healing and strengthening that comes with rubbing lotions and salves on our rough or wounded skin.
Vatican II called for abundance in the use of our symbols. An often quoted quip used to reflect on liturgical symbols is, “If this symbol could speak, what would it say?” The bigger the symbols, the better they teach. Symbols express what is inexpressible by words alone. Perhaps the strongest symbol, according to the Council is the community itself. Vatican II says the presence of Christ is found in the gathered community. Like the Auburn Oaks, we too stand at a corner—the corner where the Spirit meets the marketplace. May we, like the oak trees, be icons of memory and merrymaking. Rooted in Christ, may we offer shade to the weary and gather others into relationship with divine love. Amen.
