The single greatest gift that God gave to man was free will. Save for his son Jesus Christ and his death on the cross of course. The right to choose for ourselves is an inalienable right enshrined in the United Nations Universal Declaration of Human Rights. God’s gift came with a caveat. And here it is – choose but know that you will have to answer for that choice. Not your mom or dad, neighbour or friend – you.
Why then are people so determined to make people’s choices for them? To “carry their cross” and force individuals to live according to how they think they should. Where am I going with this? Stick around and find out.
In the interest of full disclosure, I should say that I am part of Ricky T’s management team. And it was our decision to request, film and edit the part of his “Just Your Turn” Groovy soca monarch competition video that featured the Catholic priest, Fr Albert. We chose him not only because of his immense popularity but also because of the way he speaks to the gospel. He does it in a way that is not only accessible but approachable. It is tough love combined with wit, down-home examples and practical and reachable goals.
Do unto others. Three simple words heavy with meaning. If we all dealt with each other the way we ourselves wanted to be handled – the world would be a better place. At the heart of his sermons, Fr Albert calls us all to do much the same. Love each other, treat people with respect – stop gossiping, being a hypocrite, being jealous or spreading hatred among each other. And yes, he may throw in some zingers to make his point, but it is to the word of the Lord that he speaks.
“Just Your Turn” may not be the way you want your domestic violence and partner abuse message sang. But it is effective. It speaks in no uncertain terms of a woman’s right to choose her partner and relations she chooses to have. You may not be comfortable with that. After all, we are all supposed to wait until marriage to have sex. But for those who don’t – guess who has the right to judge and condemn them? Not me and not you. You want proof – it’s at John 8:7 “Let him who is without sin among you be the first to throw a stone at her.”
The same goes for all of you who chose to condemn women with thongs during Lucian Carnival. You gasp and judge at their sheer audacity! How dare they flaunt and gyrate and show off. How dare they, consenting adults who pay their money, do this and demand our respect for the days and weeks after? Well, how about this, how dare you?
As the then Editor of the HTS News4orce and host and producer of the HTS Carnival programme, Mass Fever – I would not film or broadcast images of women engaging in the very behaviour you find so abhorrent. All it got were complaints of how boring our coverage was. The cameramen show you what you want to watch. If you’re serious about it not being shown on your screens, shut them off. The same goes for what is paraded. Do not come. Exercise your choice to not watch just as they are exercising their right to behave as they see fit.
The same goes for Fr Albert. If you like your priests sitting and praying in the presbytery and coming out only when a Mass must be said – he is not for you. But understand this. The Parish Priest of the Good Shepherd Church in Babonneau is doing what he believes he was called to do. He has gotten people excited to hear a Catholic sermon. Parishioners flock to the church and online to hear what he has to say. Calypsonian Solange dubbed him “Father Facts” and carried her tale of him all the way to the Calypso Finals. When has a Catholic priest ever generated that much buzz and interest in Catholicism, the Bible or the Word of God?
The sheer joy that erupted from the audience at the Groovy Soca Monarch when he appeared is your proof positive. They may not be your model Christians but feel and see the recognition, love and respect they have for him. And then tell me what you, as a Catholic Christian is judging.
If we all did everything the same way – what a truly boring and tedious existence it would be. I cannot tell you how to live your life nor do I want to. I leave you for God, as Fr Albert is always asking us to – leave him for God. Do the same for everyone including a priest who took part in a presentation so that women would learn they have the right to choose their partner on their terms without the threat of violence from anyone. And spare some for the women on the Bum Bum wall. At least they choose to live their life in the light. Fr Albert reminds us often of everything we do in the dark. God is always watching. He doesn’t need your help keeping score on anyone. Or are you so perfect that no score is needed?
I was raised in a Catholic household, and the Church is my religious home. I am also a reveler who has been jumping Carnival since the age of 12. I think of myself as a spiritual being first meaning my faith is strong and rooted in my experiences. I do not blindly follow any religion. But I do my best to make good choices I hope will result in God finding favour with me at the end of my life. That should be all our focus. Leave me for God too.