St. John the Baptist and Canada
Photo by Jean-Daniel Ó Donncada from ferry between St. John, NB, and Digby, NS.
A reflection from National Pastor Jean-Daniel Ó Donncada
This week we find ourselves between two patriotic holidays. For me, as a Québécois Canadian, last week was our province-wide party, the Feast of St. John the Baptist. And coming up this weekend is Canada Day for our whole country from sea to sea to sea.
Québec celebrating ourselves on the feast day of our patron saint, John the Baptist, is a paradox in a time when our government insists loudly on our ‘’secular’’ identity. As Christians, we should not enjoy our faith being the ‘’default’’, not because we don’t want Christianity to thrive, but perhaps because we want a true and enthusiastic and free Christianity to take root in individual hearts and in thriving communities of faith. John the Baptist is a curious saint for a political holiday. Of course, in our Disciples tradition, we honour Biblical heroes, but do not generally, religiously, follow any sort of calendar of days of celebration. Yet, I live where I live, and that too reminds me that Christian-centred ‘’secularism’’ is of a particular stream of Christianity that is not mine. I am still happy to look at John’s example. Was he patriotic, though? He wanted the best for his society, but he was not loyal to its government, per se. He screamed about empire and injustices and paid for it with his life.
As Canada Day approaches, I am acutely aware of the mixed feelings we have across Canada and thus indeed within our church. Canada is a symbol of colonialism and oppression to many, a country our ancestors resisted for many, a country our ancestors built for many, a country many of chose in our own lifetime as a place of greater freedom or security.
What then as people of faith are we called to do on such holidays? I hope we can agree amid all our other disagreements that we pray to God for our home. God can handle it if our prayers are laments or gratitudes, our feelings are shame or pride. I know, for a fact, there are good and faithful disciples who will protest this Canada Day and those who will wave Canadian flags in parades.
Praying that God’s reign comes on earth, as it is in heaven, is step one. May we spend this weekend asking God, what does that mean? Here. Today. I believe we can look on our country with gratitude and aspiration, we can recognise flaws and aim to be better. May God bless everyone in Canada, and I thank God that God knows what that means more than I can.