A Flag for All Times

The Risen Christ is often shown holding a white flag with a red cross on it. In the United Kingdom we call that the flag of St George. It used to be the emblem on the shirts of England’s soccer teams. But that’s another story.

The red is believed to symbolise the blood of Christ poured out for us on the cross, the white to indicate the purity of Christ we share in through Baptism with the water that flowed from His pierced side.

But it’s not just a victory flag because in the Middle Ages the same flag, the oriflamme, was the standard carried by the King of France into battle against his deadly enemies. Hence the flag Jesus holds is also a call to take up arms against today’s opponents of the Kingdom of God. In other words, while the war against the Devil and sin is won, battles remain to be fought against temptation and we must never forget this.

So as St Joan of Arc ordered that the cross be held higher so she could see it above the flames of her martyrdom, we too must hold high the flag of Christ’s victory over sin and death in the many temptations that confront us in our daily lives. Pope Francis puts it like this: “Jesus took upon Himself our weakness, our infirmities, even our death. He endured our sufferings and bore the weight of our sins. Because of this, God the Father exalted Him and now Jesus Christ lives forever; He is the Lord”.

What a King we have, and what power in the flag He carries. May confidence in our Saviour fill you and your loved ones throughout Ordinary Time with the joy of the Easter season and may God bless you all. Canon Kevin

Music at Our Lady

The choir was founded by Claude Crozet in 1971 and some of the original members still sing with us. Claude’s project was considered quite pioneering during a period of cultural “reform” within the Church and his work has been continued by other conductors within the choir and beyond.

If you would like to join us, please introduce yourself at the end of mass or send a message.