The Christian Cross is Not a Flag of Convenience
Welcome to the Catholic Church! As you are newly welcomed into the fold, you may feel a mixture of excitement, curiosity, and perhaps a touch of uncertainty. You may wonder how to live your faith authentically in a world that often prefers convenience to commitment.
In the maritime world, a flag of convenience allows ship owners to enjoy the benefits of global shipping, access to ports, insurance, and profits, while bypassing the demanding regulations and higher costs of their home country. A Christianity “without the Cross” operates much the same way: it looks Christian on the surface but exists precisely to avoid the true cost of obedience and the sacrifices that real discipleship demands. Your faith must not be a flag of convenience. The Christian Cross is a flag worth flying for its own sake.
Your entrance into the Church through Baptism, Confirmation, or full communion is not simply a change of religious status. It is a new allegiance, the raising of a new flag over your life: the Cross of Jesus Christ. Unlike a maritime vessel that might fly a flag masking its true identity or origin, the Christian life demands a symbol that reflects a true heart. The Cross is not a decorative emblem or a cultural label; it is the sign of Christ’s sacrifice and the mark of the One to whom you now belong.
The Church places this reality before you from the very beginning:
At Baptism: The priest traces the Cross on your forehead to claim you for Christ.
At Confirmation: The bishop seals you with the same sign in Sacred Chrism.
On Ash Wednesday: We wear the Cross, a sign of repentance, in ash on our foreheads as we begin Lent, a sign of repentance, while we journey together toward Easter.
At the Easter Vigil: The Paschal Candle, marked with the Cross, leads us into the light.
These are not gestures of convenience; they are declarations of allegiance, which is the very heart of discipleship. The Cross cannot be reduced to a symbol flown for social belonging or personal comfort. Throughout your Christian life let the Cross of Christ mark everything you do or say. Jesus made this the non-negotiable heart of discipleship when He said: “Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me.” (Mark 8:34).
These words are not meant to discourage you but to help you build your faith on a solid foundation. They remind you that the Christian life is not a performance, but a participation in Christ’s mission and, at times, His suffering.
“For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God.” (1 Corinthians 1:18). The Cross is not a burden placed upon you; it is the sign that Christ walks with you. As you begin this journey, let the Cross be more than a symbol; let it be your way, your truth, and your life.
Remain blessed,
Father Matthew Abu B. Cole, SMA
Parochial Vicar