Group Calls For Reflection This Easter Season
A group of community members is calling for reflection over the Easter holiday in order to “promote dialogue throughout our island.”
A spokesperson said, “Given the challenging circumstances globally, we – diverse members of our community – on our personal behalf, join over this period of Easter to offer our reflections. This Christian milestone provides us a reminder of the potential of even a single candle on the darkest night.
“The gloom currently filling global media includes:
- “International engagement taking the form of massive illegal military attacks rather than the deployment of diplomacy.
- “The violations of international laws and norms, trashing the ballast of civilized society.
- “Callous disregard for the lives of ordinary people, notably children; normalizing incredible levels of cruelty, rather than a reverence for life.
“Locally we are experiencing a worrying cycle of violence, which recently resulted in the fifth murder since last August, undermining reverence for life.
“The year 1968 was another period of significant gloom, globally. In the midst of the United States war against Vietnam, Martin Luther King Jr – who had campaigned for peace with clergy and laity concerned – was assassinated on April 4th. Two months later, Robert F. Kennedy – who was another campaigner for peace – was also assassinated on June 5, 1968.
“The spirits of these two icons remain as beacons, still pointing the way forward. In a book published following his death, MLK left us a draft roadmap for current generations titled ‘Where Do We Go from Here; Chaos or Community?’ Of course, chaos is dominating the current global ethos.
“Community is a requisite for peace, which flows from a paradigm of reverence for life. In the Easter story, Jesus demonstrated community by washing the feet of the disciples. MLK’s servant leadership proved key in sustaining an exemplary community over a year during the Montgomery bus boycott.
“Exactly one year before his death, on April 4, 1967, King delivered a seminal speech, formally declaring his opposition to the U.S. war on Vietnam. He called for a revolution of values, encouraging his country to become a human-centered society rather than a thing-centered one. In other words, King was calling for community, resonating with the spirit of Jesus’ example in the Upper Room.
“At our best, Bermudians have a legacy of fostering a sense of community, as exemplified by our renown as naturally hospitable. Of course, we know we have much more work to do in that regard.
“As we reflect during this Easter period, highlighting these considerations would hopefully promote dialogue throughout our island, which would foster community. Reminded that we don’t have to fight the darkness, but allow our light to shine, we all have a role to play in transforming chaos and nurturing community.
“Doing so not only benefits Bermuda, but it potentially serves to inspire other members of our human family.”
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