Important symbols
29/04/25 01:09
Symbols are important and carry powerful meanings. Many symbols are important to me because they have meanings that are shared by a lot of people. The rings my wife and I exchanged at our wedding nearly 52 years ago are signs of the love and commitment of that day and each day that followed. We have been happy to proclaim our commitment to others. When a stranger sees the ring on my finger, that person may not know all of the depth of meaning or the details of our life together, but that person does know that it is a sign of my commitment to another person. Since our rings match and are unique, it is easy for a close observer to see that we are connected. On the rare occasions when I have had to remove my wedding ring for medical procedures, I have missed it and felt incomplete without it, even though it leaves a mark on my finger that shows where it has been. I know the commitment remains even when the ring is removed, but I feel better when it is returned to my finger.
The cross is another important symbol in my life. Once a symbol of the oppression of the empire and a cruel method of torture and execution, the empty cross has become the dominant symbol of resurrection. A cross proclaims the core message of Christianity. Several crosses have carried deep meaning for me. The freestanding cross in the sanctuary of First Congregational United Church of Christ in Rapid City, South Dakota, was a central focus of my devotion for decades. It was the central symbol of so many worship services that we shared. We looked at it during weddings, funerals, and baptisms. We looked at it when we shared prayers for those who were ill and far away. In addition to its role in communal worship, it symbolized private devotion. There have been countless times when I sat in the sanctuary alone or with one or two other people and prayed about the worries and concerns of life. Sometimes I sat facing that cross as I pondered consequential decisions. And it isn’t the only cross that carries significant meaning for me and others. I have a pocket cross hand-made by a church member and given to me nearly ten years ago. I had that cross in my pocket when I visited people in the hospital, responded to sudden and traumatic losses, and preached my last sermon before retirement. I carry it as a personal symbol. It is often unseen in my pocket, but I can feel its shape with my hand and be reminded that I belong to the people of resurrection.
Flags are important symbols. Many different governments have flown portable banners with many other associations. Some, like the swastika of Germany’s Third Reich or the Confederate battle flag, have come to represent oppression, authoritarianism, and white supremacist ideologies. Others, like our national and state flags, symbolize our shared history and our commitment to the principles of democracy. Flags can be carried in processions and parades and raised on poles as important symbols.
I was taught respect for our nation’s flag as a young child. My father loved flags and felt they should be flown. He received a flag flown over the United States Capitol as a gift from a US Senator and insisted on raising it up the flag pole, saying that it would be a waste to keep it hidden in its fancy presentation box. He asked us to fly the flag that he knew would be presented at his funeral because of his service in the United States military. I have raised that flag several times, but confess that I have frequently kept it hidden. I learned to properly fold the US flag as a scout and ensure it is folded into a triangle when not being flown. I have not chosen to fly it as an everyday symbol. I’ve lived too many years in windy places where flags become tattered and worn. I learned flag etiquette and know about the disposal of flags that have become torn. We have taken several flags to be burned in ceremonies conducted by veterans when they have become worn.
Last week, when the flags in our country were lowered to half staff, I looked at them and thought of Pope Francis, in whose honor they had been lowered. I read the direction of the President about lowering flags at the White House and Federal facilities, and the proclamation by our state’s governor ordering them to be lowered. The lowered flags reminded me of the humble person who dedicated his life to service, choosing to live in poverty despite having access to wealth. Pope Francis died with a personal estate that was less than the cash I have in my wallet. Since I choose never to carry more in my wallet than I am willing to give away, it reminds me of the purpose of the cash in my pocket and inspires me to think of ways it can be invested in serving those living in poverty.
However, when I saw some flags at half staff and others raised yesterday, it also reminded me of how casual and careless some have become about that symbol. Depending on the flag's specific location, the flag was to be raised to full staff at sunset on Saturday or at the start of business on Monday. Seeing that some had been careless and forgotten to raise the flag was sad because it showed a lack of attention to a powerful symbol.
I have also witnessed people who claim to be patriotic and love the flag, but are careless in handling it. Attaching a flag to the back of a pickup truck and driving down the Interstate until the flag is torn and tattered is more of a sign of disrespect than commitment to the principles the flag represents. Using the presence or absence of a flag lapel pin as a test of party loyalty is a desecration. The meanings of symbols can change, and I fear that some have forgotten the meaning of our nation's flag and the sacrifice of so many who have defended the Constitution and laws of our nation.
Symbols and their meanings are important. May we respect those meanings when we display them.
The cross is another important symbol in my life. Once a symbol of the oppression of the empire and a cruel method of torture and execution, the empty cross has become the dominant symbol of resurrection. A cross proclaims the core message of Christianity. Several crosses have carried deep meaning for me. The freestanding cross in the sanctuary of First Congregational United Church of Christ in Rapid City, South Dakota, was a central focus of my devotion for decades. It was the central symbol of so many worship services that we shared. We looked at it during weddings, funerals, and baptisms. We looked at it when we shared prayers for those who were ill and far away. In addition to its role in communal worship, it symbolized private devotion. There have been countless times when I sat in the sanctuary alone or with one or two other people and prayed about the worries and concerns of life. Sometimes I sat facing that cross as I pondered consequential decisions. And it isn’t the only cross that carries significant meaning for me and others. I have a pocket cross hand-made by a church member and given to me nearly ten years ago. I had that cross in my pocket when I visited people in the hospital, responded to sudden and traumatic losses, and preached my last sermon before retirement. I carry it as a personal symbol. It is often unseen in my pocket, but I can feel its shape with my hand and be reminded that I belong to the people of resurrection.
Flags are important symbols. Many different governments have flown portable banners with many other associations. Some, like the swastika of Germany’s Third Reich or the Confederate battle flag, have come to represent oppression, authoritarianism, and white supremacist ideologies. Others, like our national and state flags, symbolize our shared history and our commitment to the principles of democracy. Flags can be carried in processions and parades and raised on poles as important symbols.
I was taught respect for our nation’s flag as a young child. My father loved flags and felt they should be flown. He received a flag flown over the United States Capitol as a gift from a US Senator and insisted on raising it up the flag pole, saying that it would be a waste to keep it hidden in its fancy presentation box. He asked us to fly the flag that he knew would be presented at his funeral because of his service in the United States military. I have raised that flag several times, but confess that I have frequently kept it hidden. I learned to properly fold the US flag as a scout and ensure it is folded into a triangle when not being flown. I have not chosen to fly it as an everyday symbol. I’ve lived too many years in windy places where flags become tattered and worn. I learned flag etiquette and know about the disposal of flags that have become torn. We have taken several flags to be burned in ceremonies conducted by veterans when they have become worn.
Last week, when the flags in our country were lowered to half staff, I looked at them and thought of Pope Francis, in whose honor they had been lowered. I read the direction of the President about lowering flags at the White House and Federal facilities, and the proclamation by our state’s governor ordering them to be lowered. The lowered flags reminded me of the humble person who dedicated his life to service, choosing to live in poverty despite having access to wealth. Pope Francis died with a personal estate that was less than the cash I have in my wallet. Since I choose never to carry more in my wallet than I am willing to give away, it reminds me of the purpose of the cash in my pocket and inspires me to think of ways it can be invested in serving those living in poverty.
However, when I saw some flags at half staff and others raised yesterday, it also reminded me of how casual and careless some have become about that symbol. Depending on the flag's specific location, the flag was to be raised to full staff at sunset on Saturday or at the start of business on Monday. Seeing that some had been careless and forgotten to raise the flag was sad because it showed a lack of attention to a powerful symbol.
I have also witnessed people who claim to be patriotic and love the flag, but are careless in handling it. Attaching a flag to the back of a pickup truck and driving down the Interstate until the flag is torn and tattered is more of a sign of disrespect than commitment to the principles the flag represents. Using the presence or absence of a flag lapel pin as a test of party loyalty is a desecration. The meanings of symbols can change, and I fear that some have forgotten the meaning of our nation's flag and the sacrifice of so many who have defended the Constitution and laws of our nation.
Symbols and their meanings are important. May we respect those meanings when we display them.