Sean Major-Campbell | Letter to Gordon House

Dear Gordon House,

Under Jamaica’s bicameral system our legislature comprises the upper house and the lower house which facilitates necessary oversight for good governance. Jamaica is depending on you.

I wonder as I write, whether my letter should be addressed to the Parliament or to the Jamaican electorate. This is because the people need to be equally informed as those representing the people.

The new government will do well to empower the many lawmakers who are often not aware that they are the first protectors of human rights for all. Too often we see and hear lawmakers who are not familiar with basic tenets of good governance and human rights.

Contrary to what some might think, politicians need spiritual support too. Remember to chant a psalm a day. Remember that God is your protector. Remember to dwell under the covering of the Almighty.

Those who serve the nation through political leadership need protection from negative forces and ill intentions. Most if not all of you might have had a parent or grandparent whom you heard regularly with Psalm 91.

On this day when the new b of the Diocese of Jamaica and the Cayman Islands, The Rt Rev Leon Golding, is enthroned, might everyone be assured of God’s saving help and protection. May the political leadership across the length and breadth of Jamaica unite in prayer for the protection of what should be our one Jamaican family.

Is the Lord your refuge? Is the Most High, your dwelling place? The one whose name and worship songs you often invoked during the various campaigns. Some of you were humbled upon winning. You even paused to give praise to God. Do not forget that this same God holds you accountable for the care and protection of God’s people.

If the Most High is your dwelling place then you must know that the light of justice shines through and reveals all. To call on God is to call on light. Light always illumines the dark. A lot will be revealled in God’s light.

As we pray in the words of Psalm 91, let us also pray for deliverance from dangerous religious nationalist sentiments which idolise political sentiments and leaders. Let us pray and work for protection from evil powers which assault and hurt the cause for justice and freedom. Let us pray and speak out for the most vulnerable.

When I see what is happening on the geopolitical stage, I shudder to think that some scary realities could reach us too if we are not conscious in employing critical thinking. Too many believers have set aside the helmet of salvation. Many in service of funding from their extremist connections must show on their social media platforms support for false prophets. Many in the interest of their visas are making posts in support of what is unchristian. The frightening reality is that many politicians and Christians alike are caught in the web of silence and make-belief to serve political agendas while singing from the psalter and praising Jesus.

The psalmist in Psalm 91 celebrated faith while declaring, “You will not fear the terror of the night, or the arrow that flies by day, or the pestilence that stalks in darkness, or the destruction that wastes at noonday.” Today, we might consider “you will not fear the geopolitical forces, nor the religious extremists, nor the man-made disasters, nor the next pandemic, nor the next heavy-weather system”.

While we consider these fears, we must use the helmet of wisdom, ethical thinking, and adhering to just building plans to meet the inevitable reality of shocks from nature and geopolitical dynamics. Who will bell the cat re abandoned drainage systems which are on drawings, but not underground?

Let us humble ourselves in faith as we hear from Psalm 91: “Those who love me, I will deliver; I will protect those who know my name. When they call to me, I will answer them; I will be with them in trouble, I will rescue them and honour them. With long life I will satisfy them and show them my salvation.”

To love God is to do what is just and pleasing in the sight of God. To know God’s name is to know God’s will of righteousness, peace, and love. To be shown God’s salvation is for those who walk in the light of God.

In a divided country with much division in the parliament we will have to depend on conscientious, honourable, and scrupulous men and women from both houses and from both sides to rise above the fray. Jamaica will be saved by those who are able to choose the greater good of country above partisan politics, culture wars, and religious extremism.

We might learn so much from our neighbour and friend, the great United States of America. The fight for democracy is real. And there is a toxic mix of politics and religion when the partisan agenda is supreme. But when we truly pledge the wisdom and courage of mind and heart, we will begin to see that willing voice that stands for justice and truth even when it is not popular to do so. God bless courageous hearts from the JLP and the PNP who will unite for respectfully contested debates in service of the common good.

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