Eagle 101509

EAGLE Most Americans think of the eagle primarily as a symbol of the United States of America. It was much earlier used as a symbol in the Hebrew Scriptures and culture, and in the New Testament and the early Church. At least five species of eagles are known to live in or migrate through modern Israel, which suggests that a variety of such birds was known there in biblical times. The references to eagles in Psalm 103:5 and Isaiah 40:31 refer to a folk belief that an eagle renewed its strength by flying close to the sun and then plunging into water. In Exodus 19:4, God tells Moses that God “bore you on eagles’ wings” out of the land of Egypt. The references in Ezekiel 1:6, 10 and Revelation 4:7 describe four living creatures around the throne of God – man, lion, ox and eagle. Each of the symbols of the four living creatures in Revelation was interpreted by the early Church as one of the evangelists. The eagle was ascribed to St. John the Divine because he soared up to heaven in his contemplation of the nature of Jesus, thereby coming closer to God than any other person. The early Church also used a flying eagle as a symbol in Christ’s Ascension. Irenaeus compared the Holy Spirit to an eagle “hovering with his wings over the Church.” Eagles appear on some early baptismal fonts, probably in connection with the legend reflected in Psalm 103. In some depictions of the Passion, an eagle made of silver or bronze is shown atop a standard. This was a Roman military symbol carried by the legions, although it is unlikely that such an eagle standard was present at the Crucifixion. In early Christian art, an eagle clutching a serpent in n its talons or beak is a symbol of Christ’s triumph over evil, Satan and death. The modern Church derives its symbolic use of eagles from the Holy Scriptures and the early Church. Because the eagle is seen as a symbol of the inspiration of the Gospel, classic lecterns, which hold the large Bible from which the lessons are read, are sometimes shaped like an eagle with outstretched wings. Some parish churches dedicated to the Ascension place an eagle on the seal or banner. The Hymnal 1982 contains no hymns which use the symbol of the eagle, but there is a popular religious song, written in 1979 by Michael Joncas, based on Psalm 91, the refrain of which begins “And he will raise you up on eagle’s wings.” This song might well be used at the Vigil of Pentecost or when Proper 6 is used in Year A, where it would amplify the reading from Exodus.

Reprinted from "Church Words", by Stephen E. Moore, published by Forward Movement Publications, 412 Sycamore Street, Cincinnati, OH 45202 USA.