Jamaicans are being urged by the Jamaica Council of Churches (JCC) to look forward with hope instead of being fixated on the past by drawing inspiration from the account of Jesus Christ’s resurrection.
In its Easter greeting, the JCC stated, “The historical fact and pronouncement of our faith is that Jesus has risen from the dead and become the first of those who have fallen asleep to make an appearance. This reality points our attention to a world that is shrouded in the shadows of past injustices, falsehood, abuse of power, the neglect of human beings, hostility, and violence.”
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“Therefore, as the people whose faith is in the Resurrection, we cannot close our ears to the many cries that rise from the cracks of our nation, seeking, calling, crying, ‘Save Us! Indeed, the Church, as representatives of the Risen Christ, has been called to be beacons of light, ambassadors of truth, the voice of the voiceless, and the physical embodiment of the love and compassion demonstrated by Christ on Calvary’s Cross,” the JCC noted.
“Asking whether it’s nothing to you that Jesus died?” The number of spectators who assembled at the foot of the cross was seen by the JCC to be considerable.
“For us, however, this is a posture and approach that must be rejected, for we cannot be mere spectators to the plight of the oppressed. Ours is a call to righteous actions, truth-telling, and holy living in nation-building. The Church must stand as a beacon of hope and light, as we call for justice, integrity, and transparency in the corridors of power, with our politicians and within the Church, ‘so that Jamaica may under God, increase in beauty, fellowship, and prosperity, and to play her part in advancing the welfare of the whole human race.’”
The JCC added: “Our race is not a mad rush to the finish line of personal accomplishment; instead, it is a race that patiently bears with the poor and marginalized. It is a race that seeks the lost and dying, that bears with understanding the plight of fellow human beings.”
According to the JCC, Jesus’ resurrection is not just a historical occurrence but also a timeless message of transformation and hope that inspires us to promote peace and foster community.
“So, this Easter Sunday, let us proclaim hope and pursue holiness with the knowledge that the seeds we sow today through our words and actions will profoundly impact the destiny of generations to come. May we together join hands across this nation and be integral instruments of God’s grace and presence as we seek to build ‘Jamaica, the land we love.’”
