Anchor yourself in faith

—Archbishop to students

Archbishop Charles Jason Gordon has instructed young Catholics pursuing overseas studies to remain anchored in Jesus Christ and the traditions of the Church.

Speaking at a Mass for students returning, travelling and local university students and their families last Sunday, August 4 at the Pro-Cathedral of Our Lady of Perpetual Help (OLPH) San Fernando, he stressed the importance of  the Eucharist as the source and summit of Christian life.

Archbishop Gordon expressed concern that many students, upon travelling abroad, tend to forget the spiritual foundation that has nurtured them for a long time. “I am asking you, please do not forget the source,” he urged.

Travelling abroad to study is one rite of passage in the world today, Archbishop Gordon said. Using his homily, based on the Gospel of John 6:24-35, the Archbishop  provided students with guidance on their journey.

“The first thing we have to recognise in making this journey is that gratitude has to become a hallmark of our living and we have to be a people who look back in gratitude, for all the wonderful things people have done for us,” he said.

Drawing a parallel with the Israelites’ lack of gratitude despite God’s grace, he encouraged students to spend a day recounting the blessings they received from childhood to the present and express gratitude “with some gesture” to those who contributed. Archbishop Gordon added, “the people you need to have forgiveness from or reconcile with, just do it! You don’t want to make this crossing with this whole baggage behind you.”

The Archbishop reminded the students to acknowledge God as the source of their blessings. He cautioned, “If we don’t recognise the source of the blessing, it is very easy to turn in a prideful way to believe ‘I did this and I alone have to account for myself’. To believe I am the centre and source and I have no reference to anyone else or anything else besides myself.” Such thinking, he said, leads to a form of slavery. The relationship with God must not be treated like going to the ATM, offering prayers and expecting a return, “we only go when we need”.

Archbishop Gordon advised students to read John 6 slowly and prayerfully and allow the Word to “wash over them”. He stated: “It’s important we recognise the values we hold. It’s also important we recognise that which is most holy, and we put ourselves, and dispose ourselves to God, in God’s bigness and God’s magnificent love.”

Exhorting the travelling students to find a Catholic parish or chaplaincy, he said, “very early on, just go and find it and turn up every Sunday but more than that, develop a rhythm of prayer every day.” He went on, “You need something to anchor you otherwise it is so easy to go so wrong so quickly. Anchor yourself in Jesus Christ, anchor yourself in prayer and anchor yourself in the tradition of the Church”. Students were directed to visit the expo with information on Catholic practices. Fr David Khan, OLPH parish priest proclaimed the gospel.

As part of the day’s activities, presentations were given by medical doctor Gabrielle Alexander, Carolyn De La Rosa from JobsTT and Mental Health Planner and creative arts therapist Karline Brathwaite. –LPG