In the previous lesson, we learned what symbols mean and how they can be used to understand God and his Church. Jesus used symbols, too, and in this lesson, we will look at how the symbols Jesus used help communicate important truths.
The best symbols come from traditions. Traditions are beliefs and rituals shared by a family or group and passed down from one generation to the next. For example, some families bake special breads or desserts at Christmastime, while others make ornaments together. These traditions help us share what we value most in life.
When a symbol comes from a tradition, it helps pass on the truths of that tradition. So when we bake a cake for someone’s birthday, it shows that we are celebrating the good things about that person, and that we are glad they are in our family.
We can better appreciate a symbol when we understand the tradition behind it and why it has lasted so long. Jesus’ symbols usually came from the traditions he grew up with, which were those of a Jewish man two thousand years ago. So if we understand his traditions, we will also understand his symbols.
