Greetings,
For
235 years, the American flag has been the symbol of our nation’s unity, as well
as a source of pride and inspiration for millions of citizens. On June 14, 1777 the Continental Congress passed an Act to establish
an official flag for the new nation. The
resolution ordered that "the flag of the United States be made of thirteen stripes, alternate red and
white; that the union be thirteen stars, white in a blue field, representing a
new constellation." On August 3, 1949 President Truman commemorated the occasion by
officially declaring June 14th Flag Day.
While no one knows the exact origin of the first American flag, some
historians believe it was designed by Congressman Francis Hopkinson and sewn by
Philadelphia seamstress Betsy Ross.
Humans have always used symbols to represent what is
important to them: who they feel they are, how they define themselves; what
they believe in; what they fear; what they hope for in life and in death. Some symbols are objects, visuals such as
flags, posters, pins, greeting cards, flowers, a decorated cake, monuments or
buildings. Some symbols are physical,
such as a handshake, a smile, a frown, a tone of voice. Some symbols are ordinary objects used in
symbolic ways: bells can be rung to symbolize the changing of periods in
school, tolling a death, ringing for a celebration, sounding a warning; even in
this electronic age, a small piece of paper can become a check representing a
huge amount of money; letters of the alphabet or numbers can be vital grades on
papers of for a course of study; a loaf of bread can be used to represent life,
and a loaf of bread and a cup of wine can become for many the very reality of
God with us.
Jesus frequently used symbols in his vivid word
pictures. He refers to himself as the
Good Shepherd, the Light of the World, the True Vine, the Door. He uses a towel and basin to wash his
disciples’ feet and symbolize himself as a Servant. He refers to seeing fields white for the
harvest, lilies of the field, birds of the air and sparrows as symbols of God’s
action and love. Jesus’ entry into Jerusalem on an ass is fraught with symbolism and itself
becomes a powerful symbol.
Throughout history, there has also been a fear that
symbols will take on a life of their own and become some type of idol: images
worshiped as gods or goddesses, icons to be prayed to or bowed to in and of
themselves, and representations of evil which instill fear and terror, such as
the swastika.
And
symbols can be used in both positive and negative ways. The Cross and Flame symbol of The United
Methodist Church speaks of God, the Son, and the Holy Spirit present in the
world in the life of that particular portion of God’s work on earth. The Cross in Flames for many symbolizes the
Ku Klux Klan, the presence of evil and hatred on earth.
For all of my life, we have flown the United States Flag
at the front of our house, and usually the Maryland flag as well.
My one desk has always had a small U. S. Flag on it. I have had flag poles erected at every church
I have pastored to acknowledge our recognition of our scriptural, God
commanded, relationship to those who govern us.
For those who would say patriotism is unchristian, I would answer that
God calls us to be the very best members of our community we can be, to be the
very best citizens of our country we can be, and to be the very best members of
the Federation of Planets we can be. Christians
must bring the light and salt of Christ to the workings of our country, always
establishing the correct priorities, and a Christ like commitment to Truth and
Justice for all.
Yours & His,
DED
No comments:
Post a Comment