The Tribune

By Rev.Angela C Bosfield Palacious

There is so much that makes us who we are, but as we move toward the next stage of national maturity, let us think about our personal contributions to this growth, focus on our strengths and develop them as much as possible. If we all pool these strengths, there is no telling what we will accomplish.

Our country is a blend of many persons from different backgrounds, with varied experiences. The gift of dialogue will help us to learn each other's personal language.

The opposite of the Tower of Babel when the common language was removed by God to stop the rebelliousness of the people is the Pentecost experience when the disciples spoke languages they had not known previously: "All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit enabled them. Now there were staying in Jerusalem God-fearing Jews from every nation under heaven. When they heard this sound, a crowd came together in bewilderment, because each one heard their own language being spoken." Acts 2: 4-6 (NIV).

We have to find better ways to communicate among ourselves as a nation and with our guests from abroad. Think of the difference it would make for every visitor to have a tour guide who was at least bilingual.

For those of us who find ourselves in a particular grouping, with a common goal, there is strength in unity of vision. For example, those of us who are Christian people in the Caribbean, we are called to express ourselves as an ecumenical family: "For there is no difference between Jew and Gentile--the same Lord is Lord of all and richly blesses all who call on him, for, "Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved. How, then, can they call on the one they have not believed in? And how can they believe in the one of whom they have not heard? And how can they hear without someone preaching to them? And how can anyone preach unless they are sent? As it is written: "How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news!" (Romans 10:12-15 NIV)

If what Jesus Christ has done for us is good news (and our baptism commissions us to share that good news), then let us embrace both our identity as a gloriously redeemed sinner and adopted child of God. At the same time, let us embrace our life purpose of joyfully serving the Lord, and minister in the Caribbean and beyond, as instruments of God's love, peace and saving grace.

We all have a vital role to play in the development of our country, and our Church. Our call as Christians is to love and worship the Lord, to model and teach Christian values, to work for justice and for righteousness to prevail. Shared leadership embraces the reality of the pooling of resources, the recognition of strengths and weaknesses, the vision of partnership in relationship in the home and wider society, where respect, consideration, encouragement and praise foster an image of humanity at its best, made in the likeness and image of God.

The future has been entrusted to us; let us handle it with great care. Psalm 16: 5-11 (NIV) sums it up well: "LORD, you alone are my portion and my cup; you make my lot secure. The boundary lines have fallen for me in pleasant places; surely I have a delightful inheritance. I will praise the LORD, who counsels me; even at night my heart instructs me. I keep my eyes always on the LORD. With him at my right hand, I will not be shaken. Therefore my heart is glad and my tongue rejoices; my body also will rest secure, 0 because you will not abandon me to the realm of the dead, nor will you let your faithful one see decay. You make known to me the path of life; you will fill me with joy in your presence, with eternal pleasures at your right hand."

Let us make the most of the next 45 years.