Roman Catholic Archbishop Joseph Harris is appealing to the nation to once again adopt the values espoused by Jesus Christ. He made the call yesterday during the 2015 Corpus Christi Celebration at the Queen’s Park Savannah, Port-of-Spain, as he warned that the continued disrespect of the Eucharist will only lead T&T “down the path of destruction.”
Delivering the sentiments during the homily at the celebration, which was hosted by the northern vicariate of Port-of-Spain, Fr Harris once again invited individuals to return to the church, saying he was confident that “it would repair the evils of Trinidad and Tobago and heal all of us.”
Addressing the packed Grand Stand, the Archbishop proclaimed the solemnity of the body and blood of the Lord in what he referred to as “extremely trying times” for T&T. He said it was a time in which spiritual intervention had become necessary “if we are to avoid the wrath of God."
Fr Harris added that although God was merciful, he had gifted each person with free will and the ability to choose.
His words resonated throughout the savannah as he warned, “If we continue to disrespect the presence of God, of which the Eucharist is meant to remind us, we will of our own accord march down the path of destruction.
“The lack of respect for life, shown in the too many murders; the lack of respect for the human person shown in the abuse; domestic, sexual and psychological, the character assassination without regard for the victim’s spouse, children and grandchildren, the continuing rumours and allegations of corruption, all tell us that the message and the values of Jesus are being ignored or have been forgotten.”
He said this was more than enough reason for parishioners to renew their missionary spirit and strengthen their zeal to teach by word and example all that the Lord has commanded.
To this end, Archbishop Harris issued a special call for all parish priests and parish administrators “to make adoration of the Blessed Sacrament part of the normal activities which take place in these worship centres.”
He particularly singled out families and individuals “who do not yet do so, to build the practice of weekly or daily Eucharistic adoration,” assuring that only good could come from such practices.
God always present
Just before he concluded the homily, Fr Harris related an earlier conversation with a teacher of a primary school which he did not name - as he said the teacher indicated they would not be participating in this year's mass and march to the Cathedral of Immaculate Conception, Independence Square, because of the old talk, chatter and jokes that often occur amongst those gathered.
Delivering a message to the disgruntled teacher, the Archbishop said, “I know at times that the system may not have been the best, but if you are not within hearing, you can say the rosary or a prayer instead of simply going into idle conversation.”
Consistently celebrated in T&T for more than 231 years, Corpus Christi was described as a tribute to faith passed down by ancestors who would have lived through some very tumultuous times.
Reminding those present that God is everywhere, Fr Harris said, “God is in fact present to us at all times, the problem is that we are often not present to God."