By Sue-Ann Wayow

PRIME Minister Stuart Young is calling on citizens to make conscious efforts to have civility and respect for each other in every aspect of their daily lives, regardless of differences.

“That should be your commitment to yourself and to Trinidad and Tobago,” he said in a “Good Friday” message to the nation.

As Christians across the world celebrate Holy Week, Young extended greetings to members of the Christian faith.

As a member of the faith himself, he also reflected on “The Passion of Christ”, which is considered the heart of the Christian faith.

Young said, “During this period, we all reflect upon His earthly life, betrayal, trial, humiliation, torture, crucifixion, and death, followed by his resurrection.

“We can see here a human struggle, with which we can make some connection as it contains, among other aspects, the dark side of human beings.”

Referring to Jesus Christ message of  “If anyone wishes to be My Disciple let him deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me,” he said it was an invitation to begin a life of spiritual growth.

Young said, “In that message, Christ calls upon us to have an inner, personal dialogue looking, deeply and truthfully, at our lives.  He urges that we seek a new understanding of ourselves, by identifying our negative instincts, impulses and ingrained attitudes and then recognising the spiritual awareness of God’s presence within our lives. From there, we can begin a transformation of our everyday lives, into a spiritual journey. On this path, we will feel empowered to fight everything that is detrimental to God.”

The Prime Minister said that transformation was Jesus’ sacred message of liberation to all of mankind – not only to religious believers, but also as citizens of Trinidad and Tobago.

He said in His earthly life, Christ, just like many humans, was confronted with lies, deception and betrayal.

The Bible, however, provide the teachings He gave on, such topics as anger, deceit, integrity, truth, brotherly love and peace.

Young said, “In this world of the 21st century, many sceptics continue the questioning of the teachings of Christ.  It is now a world in which Artificial Intelligence (AI) is rapidly being woven into the tapestry of our everyday existence.

“It seems omnipresent, presenting opportunities, but challenges alongside climate change, territorial wars and economic uncertainty, all raising questions about our very human existence.”

He added, “But the message of Christ stands above, offering the assurance of a spiritual path, which embodies unshakeable universal, moral and civic values such as honesty, integrity, humility, compassion, discipline, tolerance, cooperation and justice.”

Love, Young said, formed the basis of Christ’s transformative vision.

“This is not a limited, or precarious love, but a phenomenon that can embrace every dimension of our lives, exciting us to spontaneously show care, trust, commitment, responsibility and respect to each other,” he said.

Young continued, “Fellow citizens, our country is a point at which we should all pause, reflect and become engrossed in what it means to be human.  Let us ask ourselves: What is that gift of life which each one of us enjoys on this planet? The answer should cause us to commit our lives to Christ’s offer and to be more civil to each other — in every conversation, in every interaction.”