In a recent conversation, a friend spoke of her latest travels for some work in the Global South. Over the years, Jenny’s work with Jesuit Refugee Service and Canadian Jesuits International has taken her to many countries in the world, including the most destitute and war-torn. She mentioned that regardless of how much she has seen around the world, she always returns to Canada and ponders just how fortunate we are in this country. She never ceases to be struck at the incredible gaps in the world. The others of us in the conversation have also experienced global poverty and inequality.
We all nodded and agreed with Jenny, that in spite of all we have seen, we come home and have a deep sense of just how blessed we are – in healthcare, education, human rights, relative wealth, security, and so on. Life in Canada is not perfect, but it is very good compared to the situation of most people in the world. We’re blessed beyond most countries. As former US President Bill Clinton remarked, “Canada has shown the world how to balance freedom with compassion and tradition with innovation. In a world darkened by ethic conflicts that tear nations apart, Canada stands as a model of how people of different cultures can live and work together in peace, prosperity, and mutual respect.”
I recently welcomed to our Jesuit community a Canadian Jesuit who has lived outside Canada since 1959. Most of his years have been spent in India, Nepal and Armenia. He says that each time he returns to Canada for a few weeks, he wonders if we realize just how well off we are. He says that he would be frightened at having to move back here, because he says that living among people who have so little has made him so grateful. He fears that he would forget how much he has to be grateful for.
I’m sure that many of us can relate to that sentiment. It’s when we learn of new tragedies that we often take time to realize our good fortune to live in a nation so blessed. 
Those of us who have first hand experience have an opportunity to grow in a profound gratitude: those who have witnessed global poverty, injustice, ethnic conflicts, the struggles of peoples for peace and justice, the lack of human rights, and the plight of refugees looking for a place to call home. When we reflect on those experiences, we are moved to gratitude. Gratitude moves many to want to give back, to help create a world of peace and justice.
The opening prayer of the liturgy for Canada Day is, “Eternal God, whose reign extends from sea to sea, and whose care endures throughout the ages, hear our prayers for our country: grant wisdom to those who govern it and respect for human life and dignity to every citizen, so that justice may flourish and all peoples live in unity and in peace.”
We pray for our leaders to make wise decisions. That wisdom also extends to each of us. David Johnston, our Governor General, reminded us on Canada Day two years ago about the gift of the imagination. “Canadians have always imagined what can be and have worked hard to achieve it. We dream of new possibilities and set out to realize them.”
Today is the 146th birthday of Canada. As we have our family gatherings, barbeques, fireworks, and waterskiing today, let’s take a few minutes to grow in gratitude for all we have and to imagine the ways in which we can work toward a world where others have the justice and peace that we enjoy.