YeKengalé

For all the warmth and friendliness the Jamaican people are known for, that is just the face we show foreign visitors to our shore. As we are well aware, “si mi  an kom liv  wid mi  a tuu difrent  sopm.”

We can so easily treat each other like Pariah. Whether the issue is domestic abuse, homophobia or covid-19; we can be extremely callous and extremely cruel to each other.

The several incidents of outrageous attitudes being shown the sick and vulnerable, epitomized in the most unfortunate recent incident at Saint Andrews Memorial Hospital, leading to the untimely death of a would be mother, should be compelling impetus for the church to deliver a united message to a morally ailing nation.

One commentator mentioned that, for all intents and purposes, the church has simply shut down in this International crisis. The  State, the police, the private sector, the health sector …. have all been both visible and active in the public Square. For the most part, the only thing we have heard from the church is a united caĺl to  prayer.

God forbid that we should see here in Jamaica the kind of devastation that has occurred in other parts of the world – China, Italy and the United States, but what would be worse in the midst of suffering and death, should be to also find an uncaring community, bound by fear, bereft of any sense of courage or social responsibility, treating our sick.
old and vulnerable like lepers.

Such an unloving Jamaica. in spite of our anthem, would be indeed Jamaica land unlovable.

Hear again Martin Luther dealing with The Black Plague death of his day:

“I shall ask God mercifully to protect us. Then I shall fumigate, help purify the air, administer medicine and take it. I shall avoid places and persons where my presence is not needed in order not to become contaminated and thus perchance inflict and pollute others and so cause their death as a result of my negligence.

If God should wish to take me, he will surely find me and I have done what he has expected of me and so I am not responsible for either my own death or the death of others. If my neighbor needs me however I shall not avoid place or person but will go freely as stated above. See this is such a God-fearing faith because it is neither brash nor foolhardy and does not tempt God.”

By the way some good news out of Senegal: