We can never forget that difference. The mere fact that we find it hard to talk about symbols demonstrates this basic difference. F or example, we need many more words to describe an action than if we simply performed the action. To describe what happened and how we felt during a power failure, as we walked down the stairs, would take quite a while. However, suddenly turn off the lights when our listeners are about to leave the room and they will know immediately what we are trying to say.
Symbols work immediately.
T o trust symbols and our ability to work with them, we have to give up speaking for a while. All the declarations of love in the world don't a mount to a hill of beans compared to allowing someone to hammer a nail into one's hand. The power of non-verbal action abounds around us if we stop and think for a moment. Let's assume we've begun to feel and trust the power of symbol. Using objects in liturgy lets us recognize their holiness.