Canada Day has become controversial this year. Some want to cancel it altogether because of the sense of shame revealed recently about our disgraceful past actions as a nation while others want to celebrate, as always, the good things this country stands for. The root of the controversy is about defining what the values of the nation are. A good starting place is to look at the ideals in place at the founding of the nation. Canada, which now is a kingdom, began as a Dominion.
The name came from a number of references in the bible but its source if attributed to a father of Confederation. New Brunswick premier, Sir Samuel Leonard Tilley, suggested the term ‘Dominion’, inspired by Psalm 72:8 (from the King James Bible): “He shall have dominion also from sea to sea, and from the river unto the ends of the earth.” This is also echoed in Canada’s motto: A Mari Usque Ad Mare (Latin for “from sea to sea”).
What are some of the biblical emphasis that have served us well in our constitutional quest to live in peace, order and good government?
At the very beginning of the bible we read:
And God said, Let us make man in our image, after our likeness: and let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over the cattle, and over all the earth, and over every creeping thing that creeps upon the earth. Genesis 1:26
If this principal is lived out it means equity for all. It means black lives matter, and children’s lives matter and every person matters.
Why? Because at the highest level imaginable all human beings are a reflection of God himself – we are made in his image. The conclusion is as Jesus says in the gospel: “As you do to the least of these my brothers you do to me.”
God is the ultimate authority and he protects us with his own reputation and dignity. To speak or act in disregard for his image (in which we stand) is to speak or act in the most blasphemous way against the highest authority and against the one to whom in our national anthem we sing “God keep our land glorious and free.”
A second principal grows out of the first. It is revealed in Genesis but again in Psalm 8:6: which says: “Thou maddest him to have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over every living thing that moves upon the earth.” We have been given a task by the creator to have dominion over creation. That does not mean (as some assert) that we can run rough shod over all creation and use it as we please. It means we are accountable as good stewards to take care of the world. It is not something we can choose to ignore or something that we take lightly. It is a God ordained responsibility for which the bible reminds us we will all one day have to give an account. Again we see it is a gift from God given to make our lives better. The prophet shows us God’s intention when he writes: “Jeremiah 29:11: For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.”
A third principal is well known as the golden rule . Do to others what you would want them to do to you. Or as Matthew puts it ; “So in everything, do to others what you would have them do to you, for this sums up the Law and the Prophets. “This teaches us how to treat others. It reminds us of the fact that we are sharers together of this world and the world to come. Good things you want for yourself are the same things you must be willing to share with others.
The ideas of people are transient and changing but the word of God lasts forever. It is my conviction that the things repeated here are the foundation ideas that will help us maintain and grow in the values that will keep Canada glorious and free.
Happy Canada Day. I thank God and this land for the freedom to share these thoughts.
Submitted by Rev. Calvin Brown