CANADA DAY
Canada Day – a birthday party for our nation.
It seems like this has been a more patriotic year than most, but only because of threats. The “elbows up” response to the rhetoric coming from south of the longest undefended border in the world makes me feel uneasy. Is it possible one person can create so much chaos? Or is it more than one person?
These are turbulent times for a celebration. Different regions of the country seem dissatisfied with our confederation as it stands. Wars seem to spark spontaneously around the world. What is underneath all of the anger and hostility? Is money and power the cause?
Remember when Artemis II caught our attention as we saw our blue marble from space? How we felt relief when the team successfully returned to earth safely? Can we consider working for peace and harmony on our planetary home?
Canada will be 159 years old on July 1. The United States will celebrate 250 years a few days later. Mexico will celebrate 205 years as an independent nation in September. Let’s make North America a continent of beauty, delight, freedom and peace.
Let us pray:
God of all nations, creator of this country,
it is time for us to celebrate Canada.
It is a time to appreciate its natural beauty,
the diversity of our people and the values we hold in common.
We have made marvellous contributions over our short history.
We have also made mistakes along the way.
We desire to speak the truth about our colonial mistakes
and work toward reconciliation with our Indigenous peoples.
Inspire our leaders to make decisions that serve the greater good.
Inspire our youth to use their potential to
bring hope and peace to our country and the world.
Inspire all of us to be grateful for all we have and hold as sacred.
Amen.
May our country be ever gracious in our welcome and generous to those in need.
Pat Carter, CSJ is a disciple, a teacher and an advocate for the poor. She has been a Sister of St. Joseph for more than half of her life and loves to use words to inspire faith and laughter. She is a cantor at her parish of St. Jerome’s in Sault Ste. Marie.
