The Prophet Isaiah says:
“The foreigners who join themselves to the Lord, to minister to him, to love the name of the Lord, and to be his servants … and all who hold fast my covenant, these I will bring to my holy mountain.” Today let us simply reflect on our beginnings as a nation – of foreigners who joined the original inhabitants of this land to form a new nation: as also today, a nation welcoming new foreigners who, like our ancestors did, seek to build a new and better life for their children, often seeking freedom from persecution and freedom of religion. Isaiah continues:
“(I will) make them joyful in my house of prayer …. For my house shall be called a house of prayer for all peoples.” The Holy Father’s Prayer Intention for the month of July is appropriate:
We pray that today’s families may be accompanied with love, respect and guidance.
In the passage from the Sermon on the Mount from the Gospel of Matthew today, Jesus gives us the recipe for happiness, a summary of his teaching. The Beatitudes, like Matthew 25 (about the time of judgement and who will inherit the Kingdom), are a clear expression of what is important: to have an attitude of gratitude for the gifts we have received and a sharing of these gifts with others, especially the needy. In other words, our prayers of praise must lead to action and our actions of charity lead back to God in prayer. Then we will be blessed.
It’s Word and Witness. As Canadians we seek to be witnesses to Christ in Canada and in the world, and to continue working to influence those in government to act from Christian principles and attitudes. Realizing that we do not have a lasting homer here, Christians and all people of goodwill should pray and work for justice and peace in Canada and throughout the world, so that all God’s people may share in the goods of this earth. God’s kingdom will come only when all people are ready to let Christ’s teaching guide and rule their lives and actions.
Let us take to heart the word of the Lord through Isaiah:
“Maintain justice, and do what is right, for soon my salvation will come.” HAPPY CANADA DAY! Fr. Brian