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Good morning to you. Every time I come into our house, I walk under a small reproduction icon of St George – a gift from a friend. Tomorrow is, as you may remember, St George's day. Like a number of other saints, George is a rather vague figure. He may have been a Christian soldier from modern-day Turkey who died for his faith around 300 AD. He’s been patron saint of England from the 14th century. Today, his flag is used to express English pride by supporters of various sports, and also by some whose love for their country can spill over into less attractive forms of nationalism. 
Given the sensitivities surrounding the whole notion of nationhood at the moment, I wonder how we should think about the day of England's saint. It's a fundamental Christian teaching that human beings are created and loved by God, and therefore sisters and brothers in the human family. Within that family, of course there are ‘varieties of gifts’ (as St Paul puts it). And then, being brought up in a particular culture will help to shape us and our attitudes. Personally, that means I'm English, British, and European: I'm not referring to the E.U. when I say that, but to the simple fact that European history and culture have helped to make me who I am. And then, in religious terms, I’m a Christian, but in our multi-faith (or no-faith) community, I live alongside people who are brothers and sisters under God. 
Much that’s negative in human society has its roots in problems between nations. And, let me not leave this out, often there have been religious overtones to conflict.
Today, as I affirm the value of our heritage, and the courage of St George, I hope and pray that we’ll go on learning the truth of our common humanity. May God bless our nation – whichever one is ours. Amen.