Dictionary of all Scriptures & Myths

Understanding Biblical Symbolism


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SPARROWS, TWELVE

Symbols of the twelve qualities in the lower nature, which should attain "apostleship." They are aspiring tendencies which embody the reflection of the Higher Self, who is So often symbolised as a bird.

"One of the Jews said to Joseph Dost thou not see the child Jesus working on the Sabbath at what it is not lawful for him to do? for he has made twelve sparrows of clay." - Gospel of Pseudo - Matthew, Ch. XXVII.

When old habit of thought (the Jew) perceived that a higher motive had been introduced into the soul, an appeal was made to the lower reason (Joseph), which is usually ready to afford excellent justfication for not acting against customary opinion. Habit appeals to the hitherto constituted authority, and asks whether it is not aware that the ego is acting from motives quite outside those ordinarily recognised. For the new qualities (sparrows) have been fashioned, which will afford the Christ-soul better means for expressing itself.

"Then Joseph reproved Jesus, saying: Wherefore doest thou on the Sabbath such things as are not lawful for us to do? And when Jesus heard Joseph, he struck his hands together, and said to his sparrows: Fly! And at the voice of his command they began to fly. He said to the birds: Go and fly through all the world and live."-Ibid.

And when the lower reason (Joseph) hears the appeal from old habit of thought, it chides the attempt to surpass traditional law. But when the Christ hears the lower reason, he at once directs its attention to the higher means of expression, and so by personally making an effort (strik-ing the hands together) the qualities are enabled to function. And when the qualities are thus animated, they are gradually developed, and go forth in every separate mind to enable evolution to proceed in the lower nature of the soul (the world).

 

See Also

APOSTLES (Twelve)
BOYS (bad)
DISCIPLES (Twelve)
HABIT
JESUS
JEWS
JOSEPH
POOLS (seven)
SABBATHS
STRIKING