God is calling you

Q: Archbishop J, what is the state of the soul of our nation (VI)?

I know, I know, I know—I already wrote an article on ‘Answer de Call’ (March 23 column). At the time, I was trying to get the official lyrics from the concert version of the song, which differed from other recordings.

In true Trini style, the lyrics arrived only after the article had gone to press. But as I sat with the lyrics again, I realised more needed to be said. So here goes.

I’m writing as a spiritual director to the nation, attending to the subtle and not-so-subtle movements of the soul. This is important.

The two parts of the song I did not previously reflect on are the verses by Stanton and Mogabi Thomas. Both contribute significantly to our collective process of discernment. Their verses reveal a soul caught between awakening and affliction, discernment and confusion, hope and heaviness—yet constantly being invited into healing, mission, and renewal.

Solidarity and Unity: Stanton’s call

In Stanton’s verse, we hear a recognition that there is a long line of prophets who have been calling us to respond:

Big up meh Reggae brothers

for making the call

Rapso stand with you

Jah know divided we fall

Remembering that we are not the first to hear or answer the call is vital. By invoking Reggae—a prophetic musical tradition in the Caribbean—the song affirms the need for solidarity. “Jah know divided we fall” reminds us that to keep the prophetic voice alive, we must stand together. Though diverse in style and background, we share a common mission: to keep the voice of the Caller present in this generation.

Stanton continues:

As the missing generation

hunts us all

Corruption permeates

our greatest hall

This verse portrays the burden of the collective soul, weighed down by betrayal, fragmentation, and moral decay. It is a lament, echoing Psalm 42:5: “Why, my soul, are you downcast? Why so disturbed within me?” Yet, in the midst of desolation, a light shines:

Doh let it just ring

Receive the call

and pass the message

on to one and all

Ah revival revolution

Trinbago stand tall

Here is a bold, audacious hope. The call must not be ignored. We are invited to receive it and pass it on. This is how revival—revolution even—will happen: when a critical mass responds. This is the soul in spiritual tension—restless, yet alert to God’s invitation amid the noise and clutter of corruption and callous living.

The line has a brilliant twist: “pastor, pest, and Paul answer the call”. This is an inclusive invitation.

The priest, the village pest whose delinquency destabilises the community, and Paul—your ordinary citizen—are all summoned. No one is excluded from the invitation to transformation.

The line, “ah revival revolution/Trinbago stand tall”, deserves deeper attention. The soul longs not merely to escape trauma but to be renewed—to return to right relationship with God and others. This is a call to spiritual reordering of self, family, community, and nation. Answer the call.

Discernment and Awakening: Mogabi’s voice

Mogabi—appearing here as the fourth Canal—steps forward to reflect the voice of the youth:

I hear a call, so I come to answer

We the youths are natural-born leaders

So why we letting evil deceive us so?

Gabi speaks on behalf of his generation. He hears the call and responds but also identifies the core issue: deception. This moment of awakening is vital. The soul begins to recognise the subtle seductions that have led it astray.

We should be there fighting for better

Instead we out here killing out each other

With no respect for our elders, no

Again, there’s deep consciousness here. The real fight is not with one another but against evil—for something better—for personal, communal, and national healing. The soul is in discernment, beginning to choose rightly.

Can’t you see it’s time to do the right thing

Cause it’s me and you that getting the biting

Even to walk the streets now it frightening

With all the gun music we promoting

This is both recognition and confession. The music metaphorically critiques a culture that glorifies violence, nihilism, and power. Later, this is named more bluntly: “fully dunce music we promoting”. The conclusion is simple, tragic, and true: “That’s why we not rising”.

But Gabi doesn’t stop there. He offers a vision of authentic development:

Why not teach the youths to be something?

Fly a plane or climb up a mountain

Here is an invitation to broaden the horizon. The cycle can be broken through mentoring, skill-building, and real investment in youth. The nation must awaken and expand its vision: answer the call.

Vocation: the call that saves

The Latin root of ‘vocation’ is vocare—to call. At its heart, this song asks each of us to discern our vocation and live it fully. Vocation is not just for priests or the consecrated. Every person, by virtue of Baptism, has a vocation—a divine calling to fulfil. When we live our vocation—when we answer the call—transformation happens.

Mogabi was an at-risk youth from Gonzales. He entered the TallMan Foundation, which was working with youth in the community. At the time, I was serving as parish priest in Gonzales.

After a 30-day silent retreat, I heard a call to work with gangs and troubled areas. The TallMan Foundation was born out of that discernment, following the tragic kidnapping of Michele’s son.

It was there in Gonzales that Mogabi encountered 3Canal through TallMan. That connection changed his life. He began working with 3Canal and eventually emerged to sing this very song as the fourth Canal. Gabi once lived in a room at the TallMan office—an act that helped save him.

Because I answered the call, TallMan heard and answered the call. Because of that, 3Canal answered the call to work with Gonzales youth. And because of that, Gabi was saved from the life that seemed inevitable. He became an artiste. He became the fourth Canal in this song. He is still on the edge—but he has answered the call.

Will you?

Key Message:

God is calling you; Yes, it is you I am talking to. Will you answer the call?

Action Step:

Spend time in prayer asking God what He is calling you to—what is your vocation? Beg for the courage to answer.

Scripture Reading:

Ephesians 4:1-7