Throughout Catholic places of worship, it is common to find symbols of our Faith. These symbols hold deep meaning.
For example, the Crucifix depicts Christ’s execution, but means much more. It reminds us of His sacrifice as atonement for our sin. However, it also is a reminder that Christ conquered death and rose from the dead.
Another symbol of Christ is the lamb. The whiteness of the Lamb builds on the Old Testament practice of offering an unblemished sacrifice that is innocent and pure. Artists sometimes depicted the lamb with a flag as a sign of Christ’s resurrection and victory over death.
There are other examples of Catholic symbolism as well. Crossed keys, also known as the ‘Keys of Heaven’, represent St. Peter and papacy. “I will give you the keys to the kingdom of heaven. Whatever you bind on earth shall be bound in heaven; and whatever you loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven” (Matthew 16:19).
Even a simple fish is among the oldest symbols used by Christians This symbol is based on a Greek acronym. “Jesus Christ, Son of God, Savior” in Greek is “Iesous CHristos THeou Uios Soter.” Using the first and second letters of this phrase one gets “Ichthus” or fish in Greek. Christians used this as a means of identifying each other in plain sight, especially in times of persecution.
Some symbols are ancient. Others are modern. My daughter has a F.R.O.G. bracelet. To her and her friends, this stands for “Fully Reliant on God.”
These examples are among hundreds of symbols imbedded in our Faith traditions. Symbols with meanings imperceptible to the casual observer are in pictures of saints and even on ceilings in many Cathedrals.
Misappropriation of a Symbol to Glorify Sin
Humans often adulterate the gifts bestowed upon them. This includes symbols given to us directly by our Creator.
In today’s modern world, the rainbow has become synonymous with homosexual activism. Often displayed as the Pride Flag, or some variant thereof, the rainbow is propagandized as meaning diversity and inclusion.
This misappropriation is obvious in the name. Pride is one of the seven deadly sins, and one definition of pride is the excessive love of one’s own excellence. In this case, it signifies unwarranted love of one’s own sin and sexual appetite contrary to God’s law.
As our pope has said, “Pride is a poison; it is a powerful poison: one drop of it is enough to spoil an entire life marked by goodness.”
Our Creator’s True Meaning
Regardless of what modern homosexual publicists claim, the rainbow is an ancient symbol. Instead of representing sin, the rainbow exemplifies a sacred promise.
“I set my bow in the clouds to serve as a sign of the covenant between me and the earth. When I bring clouds over the earth, and the bow appears in the clouds, I will remember my covenant between me and you and every living creature, every mortal being, so that the waters will never again become a flood to destroy every mortal being. When the bow appears in the clouds, I will see it and remember the everlasting covenant between God and every living creature—every mortal being that is on earth. God told Noah: This is the sign of the covenant I have established between me and every mortal being that is on earth” (Genesis 9:13-17).
Remember, too, that the flood occurred to purge the earth of the evil.
“When the LORD saw how great the wickedness of human beings was on earth, and how every desire that their heart conceived was always nothing but evil, the LORD regretted making human beings on the earth, and his heart was grieved” (Genesis 6:5-6).
The flood and the rainbow are tied together. The flood cleansed the world of sin and evil. The rainbow symbolizes God’s vow never to repeat that purge no matter how far mankind might stray from God’s laws.
Reminding Others of the Covenant Symbol
If you were to ask someone today, what the rainbow means, how many would reply with ‘it’s a sign of a Covenant from God?’ Ask your children.
Since the late 1970’s, however, this symbol was spectacularly annexed, while Christians stood idly by. I would offer that many opportunities present themselves to remind others what it really means. However, it will take effort, tenacity, and courage.
Every time someone hands you a rainbow flag, a lanyard, or some other form of propaganda, just say, “Ah Yes, Genesis 9:13.” If you are blessed, the person will say, “What do you mean?” This opens the door to explaining the original meaning.
This is an opportunity as much as a challenge. The rainbow is now so intertwined with homosexual activism that in order to discuss God’s covenant, one will be most assuredly be engaging with those entrapped by this sin. Delivery is important. The goal is to pull people out of their sin, not kick them into the fires of hell.
Courage
Although denied by the current secular narrative and modern-day medical experts, it is possible to give up this sinful culture and lifestyle. Behaviors are choices. People can choose different directions after taking the wrong path.
Many have amended their lives after being caught up in this sin, just as many have escaped the trappings of other immoral sinfulness. However, such a journey requires support. Courage International is one apostolate to assist those working to overthrow this temptation.
Members who founded this apostolate defined five goals for its members. These goals are to:
- live chaste lives per the Church’s teachings;
- dedicate their lives to Christ through service, prayer, study, and frequent participation in the sacraments;
- foster a spirit of fellowship and accountability;
- accept that chaste friendships are necessary for chase life;
- live lives as an example to others.
The rainbow is a symbol of God’s covenant. Modern day insurgents have usurped this sign for their own wayward purposes. The insurgency’s outcome, however, is already decided. Sin has lost the war, but it is still fighting.
The post A Symbol of God’s Covenant, Not a Symbol of Sin appeared first on Catholic Stand.