Lately, I’ve been thinking about symbols; how they are displayed and the messages they convey. Some may be rather innocuous, like a smiley face or heart. Others are used to let people know something about us. It might be a fashion statement or convey a more important message. But, if we remove the symbol, does that change who we are? When should the symbol be more or less significant than the person’s beliefs or actions?
Much emphasis has been placed on removing the Confederate flag from public sites as it is seen by many as a symbol of hate and intolerance. I know that removing the flag will not eliminate the hate that many people feel and it will not stop some from acting on that hatred. Much more needs to be done to promote tolerance, understanding, and respect for others.
So, what about other symbols that we might think are positive ones? As Christians we display the cross and other Christian symbols in our churches, homes, and on personal and decorative items. The reasons we do so vary from person to person. They may provide a visual reminder of what we believe or serve as a source of comfort and assurance. We may feel that they are a way of sharing the news of Christ with others. What if we removed those symbols though? Would people still know we are Christian? By our words and actions, not merely symbols, we should be sharing the love of Christ with others.
As I’ve thought about this, I keep hearing in my head Peter Scholte’s song “They’ll Know We Are Christians.” I knew it was written by a Catholic priest in the 1960s, but didn’t realize how relevant its origins are to the issues confronting us today. Scholte was a priest in a south side Chicago parish and very involved in the civil rights movement. In trying to find an appropriate song for his youth choir to sing at ecumenical, interracial events, he ended up writing this one in less than a day. During a time of great unrest and acts of hatred, he believed that as Christians we should work together for unity and do so in love. Today, we need to be reminded that what is important, is not our symbols, but the love we show to others. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZQyLHi_X83s
"They’ll Know We Are Christians By Our Love," by Rev. Peter Scholtes, 1966.
Copyright, F.E.L. Publications.
We are one in the spirit We are one in the Lord
We are one in the spirit We are one in the Lord
And we pray that all unity may one day be restored.
CHORUS:
And they’ll know we are Christians by our love, by our love.
And they’ll know we are Christians by our love.
We will walk with each other, we will walk hand in hand
We will walk with each other, we will walk hand in hand
And together we’ll spread the news that God is in our land.
CHORUS
We will work with each other, we will work side by side
We will work with each other, we will work side by side
And we’ll guard each one’s dignity and save each one’s pride
CHORUS
All praise to the Father from whom all things come,
And all praise to Christ Jesus, his only son,
And all praise to the Spirit who makes us one.
CHORUS
written by Julie Northrip
written by Julie Northrip
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