VIEWPOINT: "WHAT'S BECOME OF OUR COMMUNITY?"

Everyone who remembers, though it was not too long ago, would consider that ours had always been a civilization of close-knit cohesiveness and community. Remarkably, we had been a people who relied on the kindness, protection and resources of each other, and any sign of ill that might have had a potential to segregate or annoy us was, for the most part, quickly arrested, discussed and taken out of the way. Today, while a significant semblance of cohesion still exists, we are sadly becoming isolated strangers among ourselves, and that cherished sense of community is gradually fading.

The sooner we as a people realize this truth and take action against the causes of selfishness, sectarianism and divisiveness, the sooner we would be more equipped to combat the subtle forces of evil that lurk among us; the more capable we’d be to salvage our greatest social asset – community.
The caption of this article indicates the awe and wonder expressed by Seventh-day Adventist minister, Pastor Henry Peters, as he delivered the homily at the funeral service of the deceased Jamida Webster, last Friday, March 28th. Everyone is aware of the gruesome circumstances that resulted in the tragic demise of this young and beautiful, promising gem of Island Harbour.
A sense of soberness, somberness and loss pervaded the atmosphere of the large edifice, as well over a thousand faithful came to display their final sentiments with faces draped in grief. By the way, funerals, as we know them, are nowadays contemporarily referred to as “Service(s) of Celebration and Thanksgiving”. But while there is always cause to give thanks, in my opinion with all due respect to the organizers of funerals, I don’t see what features there usually are to celebrate at such grief-stricken settings. However, I might understand that to “celebrate” in one way or another gives the friends and family a chance to reflect, thus softening the impact of their grief.
Apart from coming to view Jamida for the last, lying in a casket, so frail and still, the question on the minds of those who were conscientious enough to reflect was, Why? Yet many others, like Pastor Peters, found it relevant and timely to muse over the question: “What’s becoming of our community?”
At loss to find direct satisfaction to his inquiry the Pastor, in his sermon, set out to outline three evident conditions relative to the existence of the evil intents of that beast-like individual who could have mustered that level of cruelty and gall to perpetrate such an unimaginable heinous act of merciless terror. The Pastor eloquently expressed his observations of our community with an enormous degree of passion. His emotions were heated by a certain spirit of frustration mingled with regret, for he remembered how crime-free and tranquil we once used to be. Though behind the sacred desk, his temperament could have been aptly described as “righteous indignation”. All eyes and ears were fixed upon him and his awakening call.
First, the Pastor reminded the congregation that times had changed from “how they used to be”. In these changing times it is obvious that our society is slowly falling in line with the scriptural prediction that in the last days perilous times shall come, and indeed there are here. In fact, the Pastor appropriately alluded to the biblical fact that the very imagination of the heart is evil continually. He pointedly referred to the scripture which makes a comparison between our modern times and the days of old Noah. “The days of Noah are here”, Pastor Henry confirmed.
Secondly, he made what I consider a startling statement, declaring “no one is safe, by day nor by night”. To some extent, in my opinion, this could carry the connotation as if our community is under a sort of siege. With respects, I tend to differ. While times are troubling, it does not warrant us stirring about in a state of fear, being overcome by a sense of panic for our safety. Some may agree while others may not. Of course, we must be conscious enough to protect ourselves against potential harm, but we cannot afford now to throw up a red flag. Still, since the notorious brutal killing took place some three weeks ago, and the perpetrator is still at large even up to now without being apprehended, pending any kind of conviction, then I would certainly concur with the Pastor who was quick to mention in the same breath, “We don’t know who to trust.”
Thirdly, he sought to drive home the point that we all have an appointment with death and that it is an appointment which often falls due when it is least expected. In delivering this final remark, the Pastor charged us all to do as much as we possibly can to be always in tune with God, our source and life-giver. This, I thought was quite befitting, for it is obvious that we as a community tend to forget such misfortunes too soon. Many people attend funerals with good intentions and go through the motions of the ceremony with grief and a sense of surrendered repose, but then within a couple weeks, when the “shock and awe” of the calamity has passed, they tend to become desensitized to the fear of God and return to conducting “business as usual” until another round of tragedy strikes again.
But as a community which had been built upon the old principles of interpersonal trust and godly fear, let us be constantly careful to be vigilant about our own spiritual condition, while being concerned about both the fate and well-being of others. Then, may we band together in united resolve to resist the evil intents of those who would set out to further segregate us. It is not too late to save our community through constant awareness of the presence of this evil, and by taking bold action against brutality in the fight for safety, peace, and justice. Let us not be afraid of terror by day nor by night. As Rev. Lindsey Richardson in his deliberations during the recent March Against Violence puts it, “We, together, are greater than they.”

Mr. James R. Harrigan