With Liberty and Justice For All

Today, on June 14, we celebrate Flag Day.  When I was in elementary school, we had a special Flag Day Ceremony every year on this day.  In third grade, my classmates and I decorated special “flag” shirts – with red and white stripes and white stars on a blue background.  Every morning, we began our day with the Pledge of Allegiance, showing respect to the flag.  Flags were in every classroom, and as I drove through my neighborhood last night, I noticed every house has one too.  Just recently, I served a funeral for a veteran, and as the casket entered the church, the flag was draped over it – a very moving image!

Flags can be found in the back of almost any church, too.  Along with the U.S. Flag, the Vatican Flag flies outside and/or is displayed inside the church.  It contains the keys of St. Peter and the Papal Crown.

The U.S. Flag is a symbol of our country; it is a symbol of bravery, purity, and perseverance (so is the Crucifix!).  Here in our country, we are so blessed and fortunate to have the gift of freedom.  Christ died for us on the Cross so that we might have freedom – the gift of eternal life.

As we go about this day, this week, let us thank God for the gift of our country and our flag.  The next time we look at the flag, we should take a moment to pause and think about its true symbolism.  Remember all of those who have fought for our country – and the hundreds of flag draped caskets that have entered Christ the King, or the thousands that have entered Massachusetts National Cemetery.

Happy Flag Day to all!

Chris Hughes