On the wings of heaven: the symbol of the Spirit

By Patricia Kasten
Compass Associate Editor

This week, we mark the octave of Pentecost, which will end on the feast of the Holy Trinity (June 11). Pentecost celebrates the coming of the Holy Spirit upon the church after Jesus ascended to heaven. The symbols of Pentecost - based on the account in the Acts of the Apostles - are wind and fire. Other symbols of the Spirit include water and anointing - since we are anointed with the Spirit in baptism and confirmation - and the finger of God.

However, the best-known symbol of the Spirit is the dove.

Numerous artistic representations of Pentecost show a dove hovering over Mary and the disciples, with rays and flames descending from the Spirit's wings.

The dove symbol, representing God's action in the world, dates to Old Testament days.

• Creation: Jewish texts of this book translate the first movement of the Spirit of God over the waters of creation (Gen. 1:2) as like a mother dove hovering over the nest of her young.

• Noah: Later in Genesis (8:6-12), we hear the story of the renewal of the world after the flood. Noah released a dove over the waters and it returned with an olive branch. Doves (like homing pigeons) are known for their ability to find their way home - an ability with obvious spiritual meanings.

• Abram: Even later in Genesis (Chap. 15), we find Abram making an offering to God that includes a turtledove and young pigeon. God sends fire between the sacrificed animals to establish a covenant with Abram.

• Moses: In Lv 5:7-11, the Law of Moses decreed that two pigeons or turtledoves should be used as sin offerings by the poor who could not afford larger animals for sacrifice. These offerings were meant to restore people in their relationship with God.

(In the bible, references to doves, turtledoves and pigeons mean the same bird. Doves are very prevalent throughout Palestine, nesting in cliff walls. Biologically, they are the same birds, with differing colors and markings. Mourning doves, familiar to Wisconsin, are also pigeons.)

In fact, doves figure so prominently in ancient Israel that Pope John Paul II called the dove a "coat of arms to indicate Israel in several Old Testament passages" (4/12/00).

• Mary: In the New Testament, the dove again enters the scene. Gabriel's promise to Mary that "the Holy Spirit will come upon you and the power of the Most High will overshadow you" (Lk 1:35) has been artistically interpreted as a dove. And after Jesus' birth, following the Law of Moses, Mary and Joseph took two turtledoves to the Temple to offer for Mary's purification (Lk 2:24).

• Baptism: Each gospel account of Jesus' baptism in the Jordan contains a reference to the Holy Spirit, coming down from heaven "like a dove." Later, Jesus, risen from the dead, imparts this same Spirit to his disciples.

• Sacrament: Through the work of the Spirit, Jesus continues his mission in the church. The Spirit's actions, especially in the sacraments of initiation - baptism, Eucharist and Confirmation - have long been represented in church symbols as a dove. Catacomb art of the first centuries - marking the tombs of baptized Christians - show a flying dove or doves with olive branches to show the promise of resurrection and peace. Later, as formal church buildings were built, silver and golden doves were suspended over baptism fonts.

The Eucharist has always been carried to the sick who could not attend the liturgy. At first, this was done informally. Eventually, special vessels were used to carry the consecrated bread. By the end of the first millennium and before the rise of the familiar tabernacles for reservation of the Sacrament, the Eucharist for the sick was kept in gold or silver vessels shaped like doves. During the Middles Ages, generally before the Reformation, these Eucharist doves were suspended above the altars. (These were eventually replaced by Eucharist towers and the more familiar tabernacles.)

• Church: While golden dove vessels are not common now, they symbolized the truth about the presence of the Spirit - for all time - with Christ's church, the people of God. As Vatican II said in its document on the Church: "The Spirit dwells in the Church and in the hearts of the faithful, as in a temple (Lumen Gentium I:4).

In that church - whose birthday we celebrated on Pentecost - the Spirit guides us in prayer, ministry, teaching and in bringing the Good News. As Vatican II's "Constitution on the Church in the Modern World" said, those who follow Christ are "a community of people united in Christ and guided by the Holy Spirit in their pilgrimage towards the Father's kingdom, bearers of a message of salvation for all of humanity" (preface).

The church - baptized in and guided by the Spirit - has been called by many titles over the centuries. The second century church writer, Tertullian, called the church columbae domus, the house of the dove.

Pentecost reminds us that we are still that house of the Holy Spirit who, like the gentle, peaceful and faithful homing pigeon, unerringly draws us home to Christ.