Youth blessed, anointed to do God’s work, says Bishop Harvey

GRENADA

Bishop Clyde Harvey of St George’s-in-Grenada reminded youth of the “intimate link” between one’s physical and spiritual health. It is this link, he said, that young people are called to “live out”.

“What God does with you in your old age is another question. Leave that to God. But while you are still young and healthy make sure that you do all you can to nourish your own body. It is anointed for the work that God wants,” Bishop Harvey said at a Mass in observance of World Youth Day (WYD) January 27 at Cuthbert Peters Park, Gouyave.

Bishop Harvey commented on the aptness of the Gospel Reading, specifically: “The Spirit of the Lord has been given to me…He has sent me to preach Good News to the poor…new sight to the blind and set the downtrodden free….,” (Lk 4:18).  He believed that the passage is about Jesus’ hearing of His own mission, and understanding what He was called to do.

“And in hearing that, He responds. So the first thing I want to engage in your memories and your minds [is that] the Spirit of the Lord has been given to me. He has anointed me; He has set me.” Bishop Harvey then invited youth gathered to repeat these words: “I’m blessed, anointed and set”.

“…He has sent you into this world in Grenada and that is not without its purpose. Think about that….God has made you….He has anointed you, which means He has gifted you in certain ways and the Second Reading [1 Cor 12:12–30] talks about a variety of gifts, never to despise any one of them,” he said.

Bishop Harvey commented on the second reading of St Paul which spoke on the image of the body. He however observed some “strange” attitudes to the body.

“If your eye causes you to sin pluck it out; if the hand causes you to sin, cut it off. But the real thing is each of these parts is important,” he said.

The Bishop then challenged youth not to poison their bodies. “All that fast food, oil down…especially these days when the oil down has other things beside pig feet…. Eat healthy, exercise…That’s important,” he stressed.

Continuing the discourse, Bishop Harvey offered 4Cs to help heal the body—Christ, Church, community and country. “You are not blessed, anointed and set for yourself. You are blessed anointed and set because God has purpose for you in Church, community and country. So live Church,” he said.