"The symbol," writes Dr. Plinio Corrêa de Oliviera, "makes visible what is invisible." Consider courage and a lion appears unveiling its meaning in a way mere text cannot. Begin considering first the lion and boldness becomes intelligible, along with courage. You are reading a different language, an ancient language, the language of symbols.
Don't stop there, however, or your spiritual reading becomes fruitless. Reap the boldness and courage with a resolution. "I resolve to take on the temperate boldness of a lion in the face of my enemies, in the face of my trepidation I will assume his composed courage." The ancient language of symbols becomes incarnate.
The symbol, yes, makes visible what is invisible in the realm of thought. Yet it was never meant to remain in that realm which is still invisible, but to become visible in action. Perceive then the symbols around you and become them.
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