(Vatican Radio) For the second year in a row here in the Vatican we're marking Saint
George’s Day in a special way. For while Cardinal Bergoglio may have taken the name
Francis as Pope, his Christian name is really Jorge , George to you and me. That’s
why we've chosen to bring you a timely reflection for his Feast day on April 23.
Listen:
Especially
as in England our patron Saint is Saint George. One who's most often depicted as a
soldier fighting a dragon to save someone else's life.
Monsignor Peter Fleetwood
of the Liverpool archdiocese in England reflects for us on the meaning of this symbolism
explaining how dragons may be mythical animals, but myths contains symbols and symbols
sum up some aspect of life that is very important or powerfu a she remarksl: " I suspect
the dragon represents evil in any form. Some people may not like to hear this , but
the dragon may represent evil people".
Veronica Scarisbrick adds that we
might have to apologise to the Chinese in this respect for according to one of their
ancient traditions dragons are symbols of good, so exactly the opposite.
But
this is no Chinese story for as Father Peter Fleetwood tells us here in the West :
"The dragon is a symbol of the power evil people can wield in this world. They can
force good people into submission and either damage them or humiliate them or lead
them astray. This is a frightening reality, and it is a reminder that sometimes goodness
and holiness mean bravery in the face of wickedness. At a baptism, the new Christian
is exorcised, not because she or he is possessed , but because the Christian Church
recognises where human power runs out and we simply have to rely on God. Saint George
is a reminder that we need help to survive when evil is about. It may be a naive symbolism,
but the pictures and statues of Saint George are all about the battle between good
and evil. They also heark back to what Jesus said about his sheep. He was there to
protect them , because they needed protection. Saint George is a reminder that sometimes
good people are called upon to bother to be brave and offer that protection in place
of Jesus".
A programme produced by Veronica Scarisbrick for the series "Why
Bother? Staying Catholic despite it all.."