Let us work, dialogue, and educate for Peace in the New Year – Archbishop

As many in society struggle with job loss during the pandemic, the perspective of employment has to change. “We may not be looking at jobs in the old traditional ways anymore but might be looking at meaningful work that can contribute in a different way back to society,” said Archbishop Jason Gordon. He made the observation while celebrating Mass at the reopening of Sacred Heart RC Church on New Year’s Day.

January 1 is the Solemnity of Mary the Mother of God, and the World Day of Peace, which was established by Pope Paul VI in 1967.

Archbishop Gordon said many persons have lost jobs during the pandemic and “we have to find the way collectively to bring everybody to meaningful work…to participate in rebuilding this beautiful Trinidad and Tobago.”

Providing a solution, he related that when structural adjustment changes were implemented in Barbados, the Church started a project called “The Hub” which supported small projects such as a chicken farm, candle making and juice production.

“That allowed people to have meaningful livelihoods and that’s how we are going to have to think in Trinidad and Tobago; the time when everybody has a job may not be anymore,” he said.

Work, dialogue between generations and education were three pathways to peace highlighted by Pope Francis in his 2022 Message for World Day of Peace.

Archbishop Gordon mentioned the poor work ethic which caused some to believe they could do little work and collect as much money as possible, “but if we actually do hard work and do the things we are supposed to and do it in a regular way, we will count that somehow a bad day”.

The Church challenged this bad value system and taught that through work, the individual is humanised, becomes whom God calls them to be and transforms the world into the image and likeness of God.

He said the older generation must teach the younger generation the “real values” of the ancestors. Through authentic dialogue they can create the pathway to peace. “It starts by both, all generations, stepping back and recognising we all have something to learn from each other,” Archbishop Gordon said.

The mindset to education must change from being seen as a way to status and money to education for development, building humanity and a better society based on values.

Archbishop Gordon linked the three ideas from Pope Francis to the “points of explosion” in the society.

There is tension between generations in the family; and persons attaining higher education and accreditation are focused on “what I think, what I want, what I feel” than “what counts for a better Trinidad and Tobago”. Many people do not have what they need to sustain their families, and this is a “most dangerous thing in the society”, he said.

Archbishop Gordon asked for all to pray for God’s blessing on the first day of the year and that citizens find the way to peace. During troubles in families, society, and at the workplace, he urged people to remember God uncovered His face and gave His name, Jesus, which meant “God saves”.

“Let us invoke the name of Jesus this year, in our breath, in our prayers, in our comings, and in our goings.” The church and grotto were later blessed. —LPG