Dictionary

sign of contradiction en · NOUN

Etymology

Calque of σημεῖον (sēmeîon, “mark, sign; omen”) ἀντιλεγόμενον (antilegómenon, “being contradicted, being disputed”), used in Luke 2:34.

Meanings

1. An entity that enjoys divine blessing, yet is subject to strong opposition.
   • You shall not kill. This is the fifth commandment, and it has made the Church a sign of contradiction in our time. 2001, Charles J. Chaput, Living the Catholic Faith: Rediscovering the Basics, page 102:
   • Still concerning the truth, allow me to quote a letter from Cardinal John Heenan, then Archbishop of Westminster, extracts of which were published in London’s Clergy Review of February 1986: I quote: One of the proofs of God’s favour is to be a sign of contradiction. Almost all founders of societies in the church have suffered. Monsignor Escriva de Balaguer is no exception. Opus Dei has been attacked and its motives misunderstood. In this country and elsewhere an inquiry has always vindicated Opus Dei. 1987 June 29, Rhéal Bélisle, quoting John Heenan, “Private Bill: Regional Vicar for Canada of the Prelature of the Holy Cross and Opus Dei — second reading”, in parliamentary debates (Senate of Canada), pages 1497–8:
   • And in shouldering all this in his true human nature, he, the sign of contradiction, was above all the “lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world” (Jn 1,29). 1979, Karol Wojtyła, Sign of Contradiction, translation of Segno di Contraddizzione (in Italian), page 86:

Forms