I am really tired of writing about the many ills of our society, which too often gets me down. It is just too much. So, this week I will focus on some of the things we Christians can do to improve our living standards, starting with being kinder, more loving and more charitable to our neighbours and friends.
You are probably saying or thinking you alone cannot bring about the changes in society necessary for us to live in peace and harmony. I give you that. But if you go back to the beginning of space travel in the 60s, you will remember that famous phrase uttered by the late astronaut Glenn Armstrong when he first landed on the moon: “One small step for man; one giant leap for mankind.”
If we keep those words in our hearts then our good attitude and behaviour will in some way rub off on others, inspiring them to live godly lives, full of the Holy Spirit in imitation of Jesus Christ himself. If all of us, as people of one nation under God, become more accommodating, the entire community will benefit.
We Roman Catholics who religiously say morning and evening prayers, say the Rosary, attend Mass on weekends, put something just in the collection basket, and feel we have done all that is required must do some self-examination.
Yes, we may have fulfilled our weekly obligation, but have we been truly Christian? Did I help my colleague who came to me with a problem? Did I take someone to work today, or have I acted selfishly with an attitude that said, ‘my car is for me alone’? What about that problem that I vowed to help my friend with?
There are many more examples of Christ-like behaviour that one can adopt on a daily basis. Wouldn’t these things start a chain reaction among members of your community?
If each of us acted in a better way and pledged to do more for each other who can predict what might happen among us and in us. Given the state of our society at present and the radical change necessary to turn things around, a great effort will be required. As ‘Stalin’ said in his calypso years ago, “We can make it if we try.”
I cannot end this piece if I do not add my heartfelt congratulations to the new bishop of St George’s, Bishop Clyde Martin Harvey. His work in our Archdiocese with the poor and the vulnerable has been admirable. It has not gone unseen. I wish Bishop Harvey all the blessings he would need to carry out his very important work in Grenada. Do it nice; it will be full of spice!