Australia Day: We are one and free
The Beatitudes which we have just read are very familiar to us. They speak of the blessedness that comes from dispositions of the heart which are grounded in humility, meekness and purity. They speak of hearts that are tempered by suffering, persecution and injustice, becoming aware of our utter reliance upon the mercy of God.
Our hearts are shaped by life’s experiences. It is often the case that hardship and pain make the heart more tender, patient and kind. And the converse can also be true: that achievement, comfort and abundance can lead the heart astray.
The teaching of Jesus in the Beatitudes reminds us that true participation in the life of God lies ultimately in developing the right dispositions of heart.
It is a genuine Christian attitude to be thankful for the good things we enjoy, not to take them for granted or allow them to puff up our self-importance.
These thoughts inspired by the teaching of Christ can lend themselves to our participation in Australia Day this year.
In celebrating Australia Day, it is appropriate firstly to be grateful to God for all the blessings we have in being able to live in this great country. We know that many, many nations and peoples do not enjoy all the peace, prosperity and social stability that is available to us in Australia. We are aware of countries ravaged by war and conflict; those forced to flee their homelands and become refugees; peoples suffering under the burden of poverty and a lack of the essentials of life; nations ruled by unjust and corrupt leaders. Sadly, so much of the world today is marred by these realities.
We are so blessed to live in Australia. This day, 26 January, marks the arrival in Sydney Cove of Governor Phillip in 1788 and the establishing of the first permanent European settlement on the continent of this great southern land we call Australia.
It marks a new chapter in the story of this land which has been inhabited by ancient peoples for thousands of years. The arrival of the British to establish colonies throughout this land, of course, brought with it much change for the indigenous peoples. Initially there were great challenges, suffering and misunderstanding as these peoples from two very different traditions came into contact. But over time and through these difficulties a great nation has developed, immeasurably enriched by the arrival of migrants from diverse cultures from around the world. A united Australian identity has been woven out of many diverse cultures, from that of the first inhabitants of these lands, to the British culture and traditions which continue to inform much in our society, to the cultures of those migrants who have come from all corners of the globe seeking a better life for their families.
Our legal and political system in particular owe their origins to the British. Our constitution embraces ideals of representative government, the rule of law, and the importance of basic individual freedoms which are products of our British heritage.
Perhaps former Prime Minster, Tony Abbott, said it best when describing our nation as one with “an Indigenous heritage, a British foundation, and an immigrant character”.
Even more significant has been the influence of Christianity which came with the British settlement. Christian attitudes has shaped our national psyche, for example, the well-known Australian value, that of a ‘fair go’, is grounded in Christian teaching. Jesus taught, “So always treat others as you would like them to treat you…” (Mt 7:12). Our culture is deeply imbued with Christian ideals and beliefs and so many of our values flow from the Christian tradition.
Remembering and acknowledging the contribution of past citizens in shaping the society that we have today we are right to remember that in times of war many men and women fought and died to ensure the freedom we have today. We remember with gratitude their sacrifice.
We are the inheritors of a freedom and way of life that is the envy of peoples across the world. The steady flow of migrants, the pleas of refugees, all indicate that Australia is land of opportunity and provides the prospect of a good future for them and their children. Each year on Australia Day thousands of migrants joyfully become citizens.
However, we can never take what we have for granted. Just as we have had to go to war to protect our integrity as a nation, so too we must guard against any internal corrosion of our way of life. This applies in a particular way to the maintenance of social harmony and cohesion, which has been sustained by our Christian heritage and identity.
In our national anthem we now sing, “for we are one and free”. This surely must be our aspiration for the future of our nation. While we must respect our differences and the right to hold different moral and religious beliefs, we must also find unity in defending the basic values we all hold in common, respect for the dignity of each human person and be vigilant in defending the precious gift of human freedom necessary for human flourishing.
Our nation will only continue to grow in unity and freedom to the extent that it is able to develop those dispositions of heart described in the Beatitudes. Especially for those who feel a sense of injustice or historical wrongs done to them, it will be their ability to forgive and move forward in healing and not to dwell in anger and resentment but to choose to contribute to a better future that will make the difference.
Senator Jacinta Price has spoken eloquently about the way forward for Australians. She has said that unity can only take place when the indigenous peoples find it within their heart to forgive past wrongs for which great sorrow has been publicly expressed by our leaders. As she has said “For true healing to take place forgiveness is the key…Ultimately forgiveness is love, love for one’s self and love that frees us from the shackles of our own making”.
This Australia day let us pray for genuine unity amongst all our peoples through forgiveness and healing and let us give thanks to God for all our abundant blessings. Let us pray that we will grow as a united people, truly one and free.
Archbishop Julian Porteous
Friday, 26 January 2024