01-12-2018, 07:58 AM
There's a novel written by Jorge Amado, called "Tent of Miracles", wherein a few of the characters are makers of religious icons. The making of the icon is, in effect, an act of worship. If you're artistic at all, you might want to try it. It's an interesting process.
I think it's quite "natural" for human beings to need some sort of imagery to assist them in prayer, at least at some point in their lives. We're visual creatures, and easily distracted; the focus on an image or icon can help to focus our attention, and our *intention*, too. Looking at what sort of icons we're attracted to or repulsed by is a way to explore what we believe, what sort of image of the Divine we have in our heads. We can then offer that to our hearts which will show us where our thinking might be leading us astray or, conversely, illuminate our understanding further.
Symbols are interesting things, they often express layers of meaning that are highly individual. So the image of Mary holding the body of Christ will mean one thing to you, another to me, but both are valid.
I think it's quite "natural" for human beings to need some sort of imagery to assist them in prayer, at least at some point in their lives. We're visual creatures, and easily distracted; the focus on an image or icon can help to focus our attention, and our *intention*, too. Looking at what sort of icons we're attracted to or repulsed by is a way to explore what we believe, what sort of image of the Divine we have in our heads. We can then offer that to our hearts which will show us where our thinking might be leading us astray or, conversely, illuminate our understanding further.
Symbols are interesting things, they often express layers of meaning that are highly individual. So the image of Mary holding the body of Christ will mean one thing to you, another to me, but both are valid.