xxix. Signs and Wonders - Red

Red:

12th century, Middle English, from Old English rēad, Old High German rōt red, Latin ruber & rufus, Greek erythros.

TOMATO

Old smooth

sun stealer-

caught fresh

and red faced,

remorseless

ravisher

of pot

bowl

and plate.

Seducer of lips

and tongue

for round

and sensuous

ripeness.

Speaks Italian,

sings tenor,

and makes love

with the light on.

Jeff Guess

Reflection:

In many languages the word red means beauty and is the color most commonly found in national flags.

In Greece, eggs are dyed red for good luck at Easter time.

In many languages red is the color for beauty.

In Chinese culture colors corresponded with the five primary elements, the directions and the four seasons. Red was associated with summer, fire and the South.

In South Africa, red is the color of mourning, funerals in the wake of death

In England, red phone booths and red double decker buses are national symbols.

Red is the color most associated with the Soviet Union during communist reign. The word means beautiful. The Bolsheviks used a red flag as their symbol when they overthrew the tsar in 1917.

Prayer:

Red Anglican Prayer Beads

Red is the colour used to represent both fire and blood. It symbolizes Christ's Passion and the shedding of his life's blood to atone for the sins of mankind. Red also represents the fire and burning of the Holy Spirit. In the church it is used on the feast days of the Holy Spirit and on days commemorating the Christian martyrs. Red is also used for confirmations and ordinations where the Holy Spirit is moving and present. Red, when paired with black, the colour of death and mourning, it is a reminder that Christ's sacrifice on the cross was done to compensate for our sinful nature.

Reading: St. Matthew 16: 1-2

The Pharisees and Sadducees came to Jesus and tested him by asking him to show them a sign from heaven. He replied, ‘When evening comes, you say, ‘It will be fair weather, for the sky is red,’ and in the morning, ‘Today it will be stormy, for the sky is red and overcast.’ You know how to interpret the appearance of the sky, but you cannot interpret the signs of the times. A wicked and adulterous generation looks for a sign, but none will be given it except the sign of Jonah.’ Jesus then left them and went away. NIV

©Jeff Guess 2017