‘As a people we need to remember that the needs of the poor trumps and takes priority over the desires and entitlements of the rich’ – Justice Frank Seepersad
By Prior Beharry
THE poor must not be treated with scorn and their needs must be prioritised.
This was the message of Justice Frank Seepersad as he delivered a sermon at the Susamachar Presbyterian Church in San Fernando on Sunday morning.
Stressing that the nation was confronted by economic challenges, he said, “As a believing people and as a society we must help the destitute and the disenfranchised.”
Justice Seepersad said, “They should not be ridiculed, dismissed or be treated with contempt.
“Instead we must, in difficult times, share our resources, time and talents with them to improve their lot.
“By doing so both commissions will be discharged. If we desire to be agents of the Great Commission, we must practice the Great Command, understanding that being close to Christ requires us to embrace the poor.
“When people experience the love of God through our compassion and empathy, a fertile foundation is laid for the good news as they are prepared and open to receive the message and gift of salvation.”
He said the Great Commission was to make disciples of others while the Great Command was to “love our neighbour as ourselves.”
Justice Seepersad said while the church has long struggled with prioritising between saving souls and helping lives by tending to physical needs, the dichotomy was unnecessary since Jesus did both.
Referring to Divali, “So much gloom. So much darkness. Here we are, a week away from the Festival of Lights, the triumph of light over darkness, good over evil but there is an ominous cloud of uncertainty, despair, dysfunction and hopelessness hovering over us.”
He said during these hardships, some are voicing opinions for sacrifice and “band your belly.”
Justice Seepersad said the poor must not be treated with scorn.
He said, “Care and caution must be exercised when words are uttered and it should be remembered that the intent of the utterances is irrelevant if the impact of the delivered message is harmful.”
Justice Seepersad added, “Instead we, those who hold positions of influence and enjoy financial insulation, must be prepared to sacrifice, share our talents and resources and devise policies to enable us to shoulder more responsibility as it relates to the nation’s finances.”
He said,”As a people, we need to remember that the needs of the poor trump and take priority over the desires and entitlements of the rich.
“The rights of workers should take priority over the maximisation of profits and the protection of the environment must take priority over unregulated or ill-advised industrial expansion.”
