Wine as a "Splendid Symbol"

[qos]

Unfermented grape juice is a bland and pleasant drink ... [but] it is a ghastly symbol of the life blood of Jesus Christ, especially when served in individual antiseptic, thimble-sized glasses. Wine is booze, which means it is dangerous and drunk-making. It makes the timid brave and the reserved amorous. It loosens the tongue and breaks the ice especially when served in a loving cup. It kills germs. As symbols go, it is a rather splendid one.

-- Frederick Buechner, Wishful Thinking, 1971

Comments

[blessed-harlot.livejournal.com]

I am very, very fond of an intoxicating God.

[wordweaverlynn.livejournal.com]

Unfermented grape juice also does not exist in the wild. Natural grape juice starts fermenting immediately. You have to kill the yeast by pasteurization before you have your sterile juice.

(And I think this icon works here.)

[elevengirl.livejournal.com]

What a lovely surprise...thank you! Wishful Thinking is one of my all-time favorite books, and Buechner a favorite author.

[ogam.livejournal.com]

I you, Queen of Swords.

[savantium.livejournal.com]

That is a wonderful quote!

[oakmouse]

Excellent quote.