"A Mari usque ad Mare" or "From sea to sea," has been Canada's official motto since 1921. It is taken from the Old Testament of the Bible, Psalm 72, Verse 8: "God shall have dominion from sea to sea and from the river unto the ends of the earth."
Yesterday we searched out our Canadian flag and hung it in our front yard in anticipation of Canada Day. For us it is an important gesture, although in the past couple of years we've all become aware of the toxic threat of hyper-nationalism around the world. Often this includes "pledging allegiance to the flag" as though there is some magical power in a piece of cloth. For some this fealty is a justification for vilifying those perceived as strangers, the "other." Their supposed patriotism becomes an excuse for arrogance and hatred.
For us this version of the Canadian flag, which was created in controversy during our childhoods, is not and cannot be a symbol of superiority and exceptionalism, as is too often the case. It is an invitation to gratitude for the rich blessings of our lives which in many respects come through the accident of birth. That gratitude is shallow unless we choose to look to the wellbeing of others because we have been blessed.
In this country it must mean a renewed commitment to reconciliation and reciprocity with First Nations and other Indigenous peoples. It means celebrating the contributions of immigrants and redoubling our efforts to welcome refugees. It means choosing governments which provide leadership on the world stage for justice and peace.
In the end, though, our first allegiance is to Christ, not to any flag or nation. If we ever forget this then our understanding of the gospel has been perverted and we have become idolatrous.
Well, happy Canada Day. We're not having a stay-at-home Canada Day. We are heading out to paddle on a lake surrounded by pines on a glorious summer day. Thank you, God, for the richness of our lives, from sea to sea...to sea!
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