The Dove
Fr. Phil Schaefer, CP
The dove has been used in the Bible to symbolize peace. It appears in the deluge! (Genesis 8:8) Here Yahweh used it to signal the end of wrath on the human race. Noah welcomed back a dove he sent out - it brought back an olive branch - good news that the flooding was over. Behind this cause for celebration was the message that peace was restored between the Almighty and wayward humans.
Then the dove appeared in the Gospel. The Holy Spirit takes the form of a dove to descend on Jesus as he was about to launch his ministry. The occasion was as Jesus was being baptized by his cousin, John, forever to be identified by this memorable act. (Matthew 3:16) The paraclete wished to highlight the role of Jesus. This Son of David would fulfill the role of Prince of Peace.
Yes, from the Book of Genesis to the Gospel, the dove symbolizes peace. May the Lord be with all of us on our path through life, a path fraught with allurements that would deprive us of the tranquility of peace.
