– There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is no male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus. Galatians 3:28

Yesterday we celebrated National Heroes Day. We remember those who fought for freedom in Jamaica.  We do so amid talks about having one long weekend to celebrate Emancipation from Slavery and Independence as a free nation in one long weekend.  The theme for independence this year is One love to the world. For National Heroes Day, the theme is One Love, One People, One Heritage. We gained Independence in 1962 and the abolition of slavery occurred in1834 yet much of life remains the same despite the passage of time.  I recognize that we don’t like to talk about politics, sex, and different ways of understanding, but  as we seek to live out our Christian faith we must engage every facet of life ensuring that Godly principles reign. We are called to do as we seek to understand the complications of being free.  The mandate of citizens of Jamaica, the world and the kingdom of God remains the same.  The mandate is love. Love not only for those close by but also those far away. 

How do we love?

We love by remembering yesterday, living in love today and recognizing that tomorrow a new day is dawning, giving us more opportunity to love.  In one sentence we look back, we live to correct and we build in hope so future generations can benefit in love.  

National Heroes Day is a day when we recognize and appreciate that we don’t each live in isolation, but we live in a space where everything, the good the bad the ugly, is happening all at once and we must find a way of navigating all of them.  We must be open and in that openness exert our sovereignty and agency over ourselves. As a nation and a people we cannot allow others to tell us how to live. We cannot allow others to write our history. As Chinua Achebe – says “Until the lions learn to write the stories will glorify the hunter.”  The one with the upper hand, the one who has privilege on their side is always the one listened to. We cannot allow others to define how we love.

Living Love is living Galatians 3:28  When we are able to see others in this light, we are capable of true love not just for those close to us but to be able to say love to the world.

 Our culture is different from the Galatians, our way of life is different. Thus God intervenes and shows up differently from how God showed up in the roman empire of Paul. But God shows up in love and continues to say love neighbour as self.  On National Heroes Day that translates to loving Jamaica and being patriotic.  May we take seriously the National pledge as we say “Before God and all mankind we pledge the love and loyalty of our hearts so that Jamaica may play her part in advancing the welfare of the whole human race. May we do so as Christ surrounds us in his love. Christ be with us, Christ before us, Christ in us, Christ over us. May God’s saving grace be always ours this day and for evermore. Amen

Barrington Watson Out of Many One People (1962)