From Sea to Sea

​A Reflection on the Psalm for Sunday, January 7th, 2023:
The Solemnity of the Epiphany of the Lord

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Psalm 72

R. Lord, every nation on earth will adore you.

Give the king your justice, O God, and your righteousness to a king’s son. May he judge your people with righteousness, and your poor with justice.

R. Lord, every nation on earth will adore you.

In his days may righteousness flourish and peace abound, until the moon is no more. May he have dominion from sea to sea, and from the River to the ends of the earth.

R. Lord, every nation on earth will adore you.

May the kings of Tarshish and of the isles render him tribute, may the kings of Sheba and Seba bring gifts. May all kings fall down before him, all nations give him service.

R. Lord, every nation on earth will adore you.

For he delivers the needy one who calls, the poor and the one who has no helper. He has pity on the weak and the needy, and saves the lives of the needy.

​R. Lord, every nation on earth will adore you.

Pause. Pray. Reflect.

I recently attempted my Canadian Citizenship test. I had to go through some study material that the Immigration Council recommends. What struck me while going through the Psalm for this Sunday is the fact that Sir Leonard Tilley, who was a Father of Confederation, suggested that Canada be referred to as the “Dominion of Canada,” as he was inspired by Psalm 72, our Psalm for this Sunday, which refers to “dominion from sea to sea and from the river to the ends of the earth.” I’m pretty sure it is no coincidence that I’m called to reflect on this Psalm a few weeks after studying this fact about Canadian history.

This information is exciting for two reasons. First, the fact that a Father of Confederation was reflecting on the same words as we are this Sunday is fascinating. Second, and more personally, I have taken a step to become a part of this nation that has its foundation in Catholicism. I do not think I realised this at first but, while reviewing the material for my Citizenship test, I realised the role Catholicism had played in the foundation of this nation. I’m not sure too many people are aware of this but my Citizenship Study Guide stated that in Canada “the largest religious affiliation is Catholic.” As someone who has come to appreciate her Catholic faith after migrating to a different continent, the words of this Sunday’s Psalm have tremendous power when they state: “Lord, every nation on earth will adore you.” I know that Our Lord Jesus Christ is adored in India and in Canada. which are the two nations that I have been a part of. And I also know that there are billions of people like me who adore Him in different corners of our planet.

As I progress in my faith journey, dependence on God is something that is becoming natural to me. Through experience I’ve learnt that “the human mind plans the way, but the Lord directs the steps” (Proverbs 16:9). God’s ways are not our ways and, if I had to go back in time some ten years and tell the young girl living in Mumbai, India, that the Lord would “direct” her steps and take her to a nation founded on his “dominion from sea to sea,” I’m sure she would be appalled and think I was a fool. But only God knows what’s best for us even if that best is taking us to an unknown land with no one but him to rely on. He takes us out of our comfort zone to remind us that our comfort lies in knowing and loving Him, and Him alone. 

Heavenly Father, thank you for bringing me across the seas to my new home in Halifax. Thank you for all the people and incidents in my life that have drawn me closer to you. Help me take your light to those whom I meet and help me to draw them to you in all that I do. I ask all this in the name of Jesus. Amen. 



​Rebecca Dmello

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