Jesus said, "Images are visible to people, but the light within them is hidden in the image of the Father's light. He will be disclosed, but his image is hidden by his light." (83 Thomas)

Remember the forms and ideals of Socrates and Plato? Proposed five centuries before Jesus, here the concept is applied by Jesus to explain our imperfect understanding of God.

Most scholars doubt this is an authentic quotation. I tend to agree. But this does not eliminate all value. It is helpful to consider a distinction between outer form and inner essence.

We each share in the Father's light. Each of us are fundamentally creatures of the light. Yet we have assumed diverse forms.

Each of our forms, truly and properly expressed, reflect some particular aspect of the ideal. The form is not so much untrue as partially true. We are each of the light.

Our form may be damaged, broken, or destroyed. But this does not extinguish the ideal - the light - which shines eternally. There are even occasions when the ideal is better perceived in a broken form.

Above is a St. Thomas Cross from Finland. The filigree suggests how a form can differ from an ideal by elaboration.