Old Glory

Seeing how sacred some symbols should be  

Matthew 9:18-26  

While Jesus was speaking, an official came forward, knelt down before him, and said, “My daughter has just died. But come, lay your hand on her, and she will live.” Jesus rose and followed him, and so did his disciples. A woman suffering hemorrhages for twelve years came up behind him and touched the tassel on his cloak. She said to herself, “If only I can touch his cloak, I shall be cured.” Jesus turned around and saw her, and said, “Courage, daughter! Your faith has saved you.” And from that hour the woman was cured.   

          In the Marine Corps Junior ROTC program I learned that some symbols are so special they are almost sacred, like the American flag. For example, I was taught that the American flag should never touch the ground, how it should be folded, the proper way it should be displayed in public, etc. My heart swells with pride when I watch Old Glory (the nickname for the flag) folded at a funeral of a veteran. On the other hand, my heart breaks when I see people wear it as clothing as their shirt or pants, or when people treat it with disrespect, or God forbid, burn it in effigy. The most iconic photograph of the flag was captured as Old Glory was raised atop Mt. Suribachi on the island of Iwo Jima during World War II. In the photograph six Marines strive with all their strength to hoist the flag as a symbol of American valor and victory. And they made sure it never touched the ground, not even a tassel of it. The Marines taught me that the American flag is so special that every thread and fiber symbolizes our country.   

          In the gospel today we meet a woman who sees another piece of cloth as extremely sacred, namely, Jesus’ robe. She is suffering severely from a hemorrhage which she has endured for 12 years. She works her way through the constricting crowd just to be able to touch the tassel of Jesus’ cloak. She thinks: “If only I can touch his cloak I shall be healed.” And indeed she was healed. Now, this woman was not a U.S. Marine, but she understood as clearly as any colonel in the Corps that some things are so sacred that every fiber and thread carries power. She touched Jesus’ cloak like Marines would treat the American flag: with faith, hope and love. It would break that woman’s heart to see that cloak disrespected and destroyed in effigy, as indeed it would be when Jesus was crucified. Some symbols are so special they are sacred.   

          On this Independence Day, let me invite you to reflect on symbols that are special and sacred and how we treat them. I pray our country has not lost the sense of how special certain symbols are, like Old Glory. We Catholics, too, should reflect on symbols of our faith that are sacred. For instance, we should genuflect before the Blessed Sacrament. We bow our heads at the Name of Jesus. We treat the Bible with honor – at least dusting it weekly. We dress and behave properly in church. We kiss the relics of the saints. We speak with respect about the pope and priests. You see, some symbols are so special that every thread and fiber should be treated with faith, hope and love.   

          By the way, I also learned in ROTC that there’s a healthy rivalry among the branches of the military, the Army, Navy and Marines. That’s why the last stanza of the Marine Corps hymn concludes:   “Here’s health to you and to our Corps, Which we are proud to serve. In many a strife, we’ve fought for life, And never lost our nerve. If the Army and the Navy, Ever look on heaven’s scenes; They will find the streets are guarded, By United States Marines.”  

          Praised be Jesus Christ!