Wednesday, June 30, 2026
“May he have
dominion from sea to sea and from the River to the ends of the earth.” (Psalm 72:8, New Revised Standard Version)
Many of us remember when it was called Dominion Day. Back in 1867, Canada
was granted dominion status as part of the British Commonwealth, giving us
autonomous governmental rule by parliament. It became Canada Day in 1982, dropping
any hint of our colonial past. Whatever we call our national holiday, it’s a
good occasion to remember and celebrate our strengths, our rich multi-cultural
heritage, our freedoms, our peace and our independent identity as a country. We
are not a perfect country by any means, but it worth keeping together as a people,
far better than breaking it apart.
There are those who complain that our national anthem has the words, “God
keep our land…”. It offends their secularism or agnosticism or atheism. That
may be so, and certainly I harbour no illusions that the majority of Canadians
have much to do with any sort of religion these days, least of all Christianity.
But I would argue that there is an important need for a higher power to inspire, to
encourage, to correct, to nurture and lift up the ideals of a common good and encourage
us to build up our country.
Normally, I eschew the blend of Christianity
and patriotism that is nationalism at its worse. I am very uncomfortable wrapping
God up in any flag of any nation. The Baptist in me believes in the separation
of church and state. But I am not writing a about a god who waves the flag, but
a God who leads the nations with Love, Justice, Peace, Inclusion and Hope. I am
writing about a belief that is entreated by God to treat everyone equally, including
indigenous peoples, immigrants, the poor, the homeless. refugees, all genders,
etc. When God is behind that style of “patriotism,” then our country, or any
nation, can thrive and prosper.
Our verse from Psalm 72 is our Canadian motto. In his devotion today for
Yorkminster Park Baptist Church, Dale Rose notes that this verse is enshrined
under the Peace Tower in Ottawa on one of the pillars over the stain-glass
window. It is on our coat of arms and
appears on the front our Canadian Passports. I had never noticed any of that
before. It’s amazing what we take for granted and don’t appreciate about where
we live.
But the verse is very apt for Canada. God’s authority is of benefit for all of us.
Through God, we are blessed with courage, hope, justice, unity, compassion and love
for one another. Through God, our nation is dedicated to the sacred values of peace,
inclusion, respect, tolerance and community. Through God, Canada is called to
be a nation of forbearance, social action, benevolence and looking out for the welfare
of those less fortunate. Through God, we, Canadians, you and I, are challenged to
engage one another and peoples of other nations with the highest regard for all
humankind and to have a generous response to humanitarian needs throughout the world.
Perhaps, that is high-minded thinking on the first, lazy, hot summer’s
day of July. But while you are munching on that hotdog or drying off after that
swim in the lake, say a little prayer of thanksgiving for this amazing country that
we live in. Pray that God keeps us in harmony and togetherness. Pray that we
accept the challenges of being part of God’s Dominion.
Prayer:
O God of all, we pray
for all of Canada from sea to sea to sea. Keep our land safe, free, generous, united,
prosperous and welcoming. Although richly diverse, may we seek the common good
that embraces the best in us. Help us to rise to your Kingdom values. We pray for
our federal, provincial and municipal governments and their leaders that they
will demonstrate the goodness and righteousness which is worthy of your Name. Bless
us, O Lord, we pray, in Jesus’ name, Amen.
