'Fawkes is a Phoenix, Harry. Phoenixes burst into flames when it is time for them to die and are reborn from the ashes.'
In the second Harry Potter book, Dumbledore describes his phoenix, Fawkes, to Harry using those words. They're words that resonate with why the phoenix has been used over the centuries as a symbol for the Resurrection. It's a wonderful, majestic symbol, full of the Resurrection idea of rising to new life from the ashes of death.
But as with all symbols, some care needs to be taken as analogies only stretch so far. Jesus wasn't 'reborn', but 'rose again'. Mary Magdalene didn't recognise Jesus that first Easter morning, except when he spoke her name. He didn't arise completely afresh, but still carries the wounds of Good Friday. It makes me wonder what our Resurrection bodies will be like, when that time comes. Will we recognise ourselves? How much will we be shaped (perhaps even quite literally) by what happens to us in this life, on Earth?
Ultimately, we will never know until we reach heaven, but that doesn't mean it's fruitless to consider the possibilities.
(Dumbledore can again give us more to reflect upon, on this...
“Yes,' said Dumbledore. 'He'll have that scar for ever.'
'Couldn't you do something about it, Dumbledore?'
'Even if I could, I wouldn't. Scars can come in useful.
I have one myself above my left knee which is a
perfect map of the London underground.”
….our scars, and the things that others, or society, might see as undesirable, in no way reduce our value or worth in God's eyes.)
A prompt for prayer, if you would like one, also using words from Dumbledore:
'Happiness can be found in the darkest of times, if one only remembers to turn on the light.'
♫ Sticking with the theme... Stravinsky's Firebird Suite - Finale
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