At Mass, just before the Gospel is read, the whole congregation stands and traces three small crosses: on the forehead, on the lips, on the heart. The gesture is quick, often learned in catechism class without much explanation. Yet it asks for the Word to enter the mind, pass through the mouth and settle in the heart. A Gospel emoji could start from that gesture.
The English word comes from the Old English godspel, “good news”, a faithful rendering of the Greek euangelion. Four evangelists wrote it down, and tradition, since Saint Jerome, has given each a symbol drawn from the four living creatures of Ezekiel and Revelation: the man for Matthew, the lion for Mark, the ox for Luke, the eagle for John. They appear carved over countless church doors, and Venice made the lion of Saint Mark its emblem.
The good news is that 🦁, 🦅 and 🐂 already exist. The less good news is that 📖 is still a generic book that could just as well be a car repair manual. A Book of the Gospels marked with a cross, held high in procession; the four symbols gathered around an open book; three small crosses traced on a face: those are a few ideas. Yours is welcome just below.
Amen !by AI Generator
Amen !by AI Generator
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