Icon: “a picture, image, or other representation.” (Dictionary.com)

  We have many icons in today’s world. There are those who consider musical geniuses as icons; such as, Elvis, Elton John, The Beatles, Hootie, etc. Then there are those icons of the scientific world; Stephen Hawkins, Albert Einstein, Marie Curie, Sheldon Cooper, and so forth. Icons exist in the literary world; Harper Lee, Shakespeare, John Steinbeck, James Patterson, John Grisham. People we look up to in their respective genres, learn from, quote them, and generally admire them. Icons are not bad things or people as long as we make sure they are worthy of being admired. As the old saying goes, “Hitch your wagon to the star,”… just don’t hitch it to a star that is heading into a black hole somewhere.

  The icons of religion. Not meaning religious personalities, but objects that are considered an icon. Crosses, Crucifixes, Medallions, Charms, Rosaries, Grottos, Statues, Plaques and Pictures. All the things that we have that symbolize our faith. Anywhere I go, I see people wearing religious icons around their necks, on their clothing, on their car bumpers, and just about anywhere you look.

  I have a wall in my home where I have collected many such icons. I love the symbolism of Christianity. On my wall are a lot of various crosses that people have given me, a few crucifixes, a mezuzah is on my doorpost, various paintings and plaques

I wear at times. I have a St. Cecelia who is the Patron Saint for musicians, and a St. Francis de Sales who is the Patron Saint for Journalists and Authors. Then there is a couple St. Christopher medallions who are protectors in travel and life. I don’t place my faith in these various things, but I like to be reminded of those who traveled this road before me and persevered.

  Without judging others, it seems that fashion has taken over a lot of the religious symbols today. Wearing crosses and crucifixes seem to be quite a fashion statement and the bigger and the “bling-ier,” the better. I cannot help but wonder how many people wearing these large and bedazzled chains and medals fully understand the meaning behind what they wear. For a similar reason, I don’t have a Christian fish on my car because I am not always the most kind and considerate driver and would hate for my road behavior to reflect on the symbolism of that fish. I know I have been judged for wearing a Bar Church t-shirt a lot, but when I’m asked and explain, people are rather fascinated and encouraging for the work and ministry of this congregation and ministry.

  As Christians, we must always be aware of our witness. It may be by the jewelry we wear, the words we use, the way we drive, the way we treat (and tip) the servers in restaurants, the music we listen to, and the television and movies we watch. Whether we are aware or not, people are constantly watching us. They know we proclaim to be a Christian and are seeing whether we are “walking the walk” and “talking the talk” of Christ, or if we are doing what the worldly standards accept.   When I was a young boy, I made a little picture in church that had a school photo of me and underneath I had written, “What kind of church would my church be, if all its members were just like me?” Just substitute the words neighborhood, city, county, or country in the place of church and this weighs on us to set a standard for those around us. Jesus tells us in Matthew 5 that “You are the light of the world,” meaning that we should be a shining example wherever we go of God’s Love for all people. And for today my friends, this has been the gospel according to Jimmy.