Sean Major-Campbell | A time for self-examination

THE WORD of the Lord, through Prophet Jeremiah: “For my people are foolish, they do not know me; they are stupid children; they have no understanding. They are skilled in doing evil, but do not know how to do good.”

In many churches today, Psalm 14 will be included in the ministry of the word. Verses 1-2 are popularly quoted in contexts of religious faith: “The fool has said in his heart, “There is no God.” All are corrupt and commit abominable acts; there is no one who does any good. The Lord looks down from heaven upon us all, to see if there is any who is wise, if there is one who seeks after God.”

Welcome to a time for truth-telling, self-examination, and healing. Beware of choosing the side of fools.

In Psalm 14, three Hebrew words are used in the translation of ‘fool’. Interestingly, they do not speak of a lack of intelligence or mental capacity. They speak instead of moral concerns. The fool is rebellious, reckless, stubborn, and not one to welcome new learning. Most importantly, the fool is not willing to do what is right. The fool is committed only to the opinions of ‘I, me, and myself’. There is more to be learned from Psalm 14.

What are some foolish things in our time? How should we treat with foolish thoughts? Does Psalm 14 present us with an antidote for being a fool?

Saying white people are not human or that Mark Golding is not born here or that the PNP is an LGBTQ organisation is all about playing to the worst instincts of conspiracy theorists. Demeaning male politicians by calling them gyal or demeaning female politicians by calling them barren has to be called out if we are to cultivate our better selves. We should not stereotype others based on their colour or ethnicity and then cry prejudice and racism when it is done to us. It is a dangerous thing to declare any group of people as being less human than another. The use of self-made facts is also nonsensical.

Expecting declarations to be made against any politician, when said allegations have not been adjudicated by a body with standing, is unreasonable, illogical, and self-serving. The golden rule, when quoted, must do more than make us feel good. We should indeed do unto others that which we would want to be done to us.

May we be honest and recognise that some of the finest people we know are supporters or members of the other party. If I had my own way, I would be able to select a government based on my assessment and observation of individuals, regardless of their political affiliation.

We are going to have to move away from abusing calls for an apology for foolishness, and the disregard for such calls in the face of egregious situations. When politicians are outstanding with regards to being clear on matters of spousal abuse, child abuse, animal abuse, or environmental abuse, it cannot be that we remain silent conveniently. We ought to unite for good governance and justice.

Misogyny is misogyny, whether it is done by someone on the PNP side or on the JLP side. You cannot expect to be taken seriously when your group only speaks out when the culprit is on the other side.

I have to laugh re the brouhaha concerning Minister Daryl Vaz and the sprinkling of white rum re the school buses. Many are conveniently not aware that, in some African and Indian spiritualities, the purity of white rum is significant in rituals of blessing, healing, and cleansing. Also, in pouring libations in celebration of the ancestors. And to think that only recently I bought a bottle of white rum in preparation for making my signature rummy bread pudding. Christianity is not the gatekeeper adjudicator of authentic spiritual practices.

Prophetic Christianity is at its best when it speaks truth to power. Telling any in the seats of power and authority to lift up the lowly, the weak, the oppressed. Christ consciousness helps us to understand that prosperity is marked by the shalom of God abounding in us so that we mediate grace and compassion to all.

Those who preach Christianity ought of necessity to acknowledge where they have at times wrongly judged ‘Anju’ or ‘Markie G’, simply based on green or orange. As an individual, do you need to repent of bitterness and hatred toward others just on the grounds of political affiliation? Interestingly, some of the most hateful political adherents are also religious folks. Some people pray so much that they believe God has a bias for their fav politician.

I would submit that God’s bias is simply for righteousness, peace, and love. I would submit that maybe we have all been fools at various times. However, Psalm 14 presents us with timely reminders. God is in the company of the righteous. God is the refuge of the afflicted. God restores the fortunes of God’s people.

Let us pray: Grant, O God, that your holy and life-giving Spirit may so move every human heart that barriers which divide us may crumble, suspicions disappear, and hatreds cease; that our divisions being healed, we may live in justice and peace; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. ( Book of Common Prayer)

Fr Sean Major-Campbell is an Anglican priest and advocate for human rights and dignity. Please send feedback to columns@gleanerjm.com and seanmajorcampbell@yahoo.com