Sunday, June 13, 2021

Happy Ordinary Time! That is where we are liturgically, and will be for the next several months, all the way till late November. Monday, June 14th, is Flag Day here in the United States. Flag Day commemorates the action of the Second Continental Congress adopting the Stars and Stripes as our official national flag back on June 14, 1777.

It will be a good day to fly the flag if you have one, and to renew your Pledge of Allegiance to the flag and the republic for which it stands. In this time of much division and continuing strife in our country, it is important to foster and grow the virtue of patriotism to counter the vice of nationalism. Patriotism is love of country that recognizes the areas where our country needs to continue to grow in order to achieve the lofty ideal of “liberty and justice” for all, while nationalism is a vice that puts our country ahead of all others in ways that are selfish and divisive and admits no constructive criticism of our country.

In this day of digital everything, physical cloth flags may seem old-fashioned and passé. But look at the popularity of the rainbow flag in many places, and the controversies over the confederate battle flag. Flags still stir emotions, and unfortunately passions, and still speak to us. Flags are still important.

So Happy Flag Day to you all. Fly your American flag with pride!