Chapter 2 - Symbols

Question 1

What is the greek word for symbol and what does it mean?

Answer 1

The greek root word for symbol is “symballein” which mean to “throw together”. Therefore, to think symbolically means to take an invisible concept like an emotion or idea and “throw it together” or make it a visible idea.

Question 2

What are the three characteristics of symbols?

Answer 2

1. Symbols have more than one meaning
2. Symbols represent what the are connected to (ex. light= truth)
3. Symbols make us respond in more than one way

Question 3

What is the difference between cultural and universal symbols?

Answer 3

Cultural symbols are symbols that are closely dependent on a specific situation, place, or group.
Universal symbols are symbols that are clearly recognized throughout the world.

Question 4

Literal thinking vs. Symbolic thinking 1.

Answer 4

Literal thinking - understanding objects only on the surface, at face value

Symbolic thinking - understanding objects on a deeper level, below the surface

Question 5

Literal thinking vs. Symbolic thinking 2.

Answer 5

Literal thinking- observable, measurable facts are the only source of knowledge

Symbolic thinking - Invisible, abstract sources of knowledge such as emotions, ideas, morals and spirituality (ex. love, hope, faith)

Question 6

Literal thinking vs. Symbolic thinking 3.

Answer 6

Literal thinking - views objects in insolation, no comparison to other objects, one dimensional thinking, dictionary definition.

Symbolic thinking - views objects in relationship to other objects, meaning at many levels , multi-dimensional thinking.

Question 7

Literal thinking vs. Symbolic thinking 4.

Answer 7

Literal thinking - Certain professions such as scientists, doctors, pilots must be literal factual thinkers.

Symbolic thinking - poets, loves, dreamers, followers of religion think symbolically.

Question 8

Example of Literal thinking vs. Symbolic thinking 5.

Answer 8

Literal thinking - Example- The sun is a round, golden globe shining in the sky and is a good source of Vitamin D

Symbolic thinking - Ex. The sun is a choir of angles singing “Alleluia!”

Question 9

What is sacramental awareness?

Answer 9

being able to see God as present in, and communicating with us through all of creation.

Question 10

What is sacramental dullness?

Answer 10

the inability to see God’s presence in life and in the world.

Question 11

What are the causes of sacramental dullness?

Answer 11

1. Being to busy with daily routines to see the sacred
2. becoming overwhelmed by the pain and suffering that exits in life and in the world
3. not know where to look for the sacred or what to look for.

Question 12

How can sacramental dullness be cured?

Answer 12

1. By taking a second, closer look at life and the world, looking without haste or prejudice and with an essential openness.
2. By realizing that all of creation is sacred because God created human beings and the entire world out of love.

Question 13

What is grace?

Answer 13

God’s loving presence in the world, expressed through actions, events and experiences that shape our life. God is ALWAYS offering us grace.

Question 14

What is a sacrament?

Answer 14

any experience of God’s loving presence made visible in our life here and now.

Question 15

What are the 2 sacramental skills for real communication?

Answer 15

Listening

Responding

Question 16

What is sacramental moment?

Answer 16

an occasion in which God graces a person’s life and the person experiences an increased awareness of God’s presence.

Question 17

Matt and Jonathan

Answer 17

Jonathan and Matt say yes to God’s offer of friendship by listening and responding. By acting in friendship with each other, they also act in friendship with God.

Question 18

What is a ritual? Why are rituals important in celebrating sacraments?

Answer 18

Rituals are symbolic actions that help us, concretely and physically, express our beliefs, values and deepest concerns. Like symbols, rituals have deeper meaning than what immediately meets the eye. Rituals can be as simple as the sign of the cross, or a wave; or as complex as the Olympic Games or the consecration of a pope.
All rituals serve as a way of communicating what is important to us, what has meaning for us. In the church’s sacraments, ritual expresses the deeper meaning of the sacraments to those who participate in them and to the whole community of faith.

Question 19

Describe the difference between symbolic actions and practical actions. Give an example for both.

Answer 19

Symbolic action= Ritual; ex. walking in a parade or protest.
Practical action= Routine; ex. walking from point A to point B.

Question 20

How are rituals different from routines?

Answer 20

Routines, like signs, are one-dimensional in meaning , whereas rituals have deeper, multilevel meanings. Ex. wink. As humans, we blink regularly and routinely to keep our eyes moist. In contrast, a wink has public and symbolic significance. Although a wink is physically almost the same action as a blink, it possesses any number of symbolic meanings in a community.

Question 21

What similarities exist between rituals and play?

Answer 21

Rituals can also be distinguished from routines in that rituals are often playful activities. Connecting play with rituals does not mean that rituals are not serious. Rather, it means that they are not work: they are not done solely to provide physical, practical results. They are done for enjoyment. As playful activities, rituals enable us to pause from our daily routine. They free us to pursue aspects of life that might otherwise be neglected.

Question 22

8 characteristics of rituals:

Answer 22

1. Movement and Gestures with Meaning - Shaking hands
2. Repeated Actions - Eating together
3. Symbolic Celebration - Birthday Fiesta
4. Important Events - Graduation
5. Significant Words - Making the sign of the cross
6. Linkages to the Past - Fourth of July
7. Communal Actions - Christmas
8. Participation, not observation - Fans at a sporting event