I was born in 1964. One of my first memories that I have in life is of my parents and grandparents taking me to Montreal for Expo 67 and the Centennial Celebrations for Canada’ s 100th birthday that year. I think one of the vague memories that I have of this experience is that it was the first time in my life that I recall having been exposed to persons from all of the different countries of the world. Expo 67 was a great moment of Canadian hospitality extended towards all of the people of the world who came to visit Canada for the Expo event. As it is one of my first memories of life, it has also become for me symbolic of what I believe this great country in which we live is all about.
Almost all of us in Canada, unless we are members of Canada’s Aboriginal People, have come to this great country from another continent. We may not have come here ourselves, but one, two or three generations ago, we have all come here from somewhere else. As guests in this land, we need to continue to work for true justice, truth, peace and reconciliation with all of our First Nations brothers and sisters on this great continent. We are also called to recognize in gratitude all that we have received from this country and be open to sharing it with others who come here from distant lands that are troubled by war, persecution and starvation. It was most likely these same difficulties that brought our own ancestors here to Canada years ago. We should show our brothers and sisters, brought here in times of difficulty, the same type of welcome that we would have liked our ancestors to have received when they arrived here on this continent years ago.
The readings this Sunday speak to us about hospitality. We hear in the first reading from the Book of Kings how Elisha was welcomed by a pious woman into her home and in return she was blessed by a son. Jesus tells us in the Gospel that we are called to welcome people as though we were welcoming Him. At other places in the Gospels, we are told by Jesus of those who were condemned for rejecting Him as He came to them in the hungry, naked and persecuted. It is clear from Jesus’ teaching that when we welcome those who are in need, we welcome Him. Christian hospitality is what we are called to do for our brothers and sisters in recognition for what God has done for us in Christ.
I have always believed that what has made Canada so different and unique on this continent has been our Catholic Christian heritage. In Quebec, where the Church was once strong, the Church established the hospitals and schools which cared for all people no matter who they were. The many religious Sisters and Brothers who cared for those in need provided the foundation for what would become our social welfare system and the compassion which distinguishes Canada. We see evidence of this great heritage in our own city as we look to the great educational institutions and hospitals that were founded by religious women and men—like the Sisters of St. Joseph who founded St. Michael’s and St. Joseph’s Hospitals. Canada is different because its heritage lies in our Catholic Christian social ethic.
The great difference in Canada’s identity on this continent continues to be seen as we receive people today from lands experiencing difficulty of different types. Happily this week, the parish received news that our refugee family will soon be arriving here in Canada. This Christian family was forced to flee Iraq for Syria after the father and brother were kidnapped and probably killed, as they have not been seen or heard from since. Once in Syria this family of a mother and two sons became victims of that country’s terrible civil war. Their application was not processed quickly by the government because they are not Syrian nationals. They have no home to return to and as we prepare to welcome them we are invited to show them the same Christian hospitality that we would show to Christ. I believe that the way in which we welcome them is how we can contribute to making Canada the great country that it is. In the coming weeks and months I will provide you with more information about how we can support this family. Their arrival could be anytime in the next few months.
Christian hospitality, however, is not just something that we are called to show to the foreigner. Christian hospitality and gratitude call us to seek truth and reconciliation with the Aboriginal People of Canada. Christian hospitality and gratitude call us to create a nation that welcomes and protects the unborn child. Christian hospitality demands that we reject a culture of death that encourages euthanasia and any pressure that it might cause the sick, elderly and infirm persons in our country to take their lives because they feel unwelcome and unsupported. Christian hospitality calls us to regard all life as sacred because it is a gift from God.
On this Canada Day weekend let us all thank God for the gift of living in this great country. May we show our gratitude through a Christian hospitality that respects all persons who are made in God’s image and likeness. It is this respect for all life that has made Canada such a glorious and free country for all of us to live and prosper. In these difficult and challenging times, let us pray: “God keep our Land glorious and free.”
Happy Canada Day!
Fr. Michael McGourty
Pastor, St. Peter’s Parish—Toronto
CANADA
