The Jamaica Council of Churches (JCC) is imploring Jamaicans to use the story of the resurrection of Jesus Christ to look to the future with hope rather than being riveted to the past.

In its message to mark Easter, the JCC said, “The historical fact and pronouncement of our faith is that Jesus has risen from the dead and become the first of those who have fallen asleep to make an appearance. This reality points our attention to a world that is shrouded in the shadows of past injustices, falsehood, abuse of power, the neglect of human beings, hostility and violence.”

“Therefore, as the people whose faith is in the Resurrection, we cannot close our ears to the many cries that rise from the cracks of our nation, seeking, calling, crying, ‘Save Us! Indeed, the Church, as representatives of the Risen Christ, has been called to be beacons of light, ambassadors of truth, the voice of the voiceless and the physical embodiment of the love and compassion demonstrated by Christ on Calvary’s Cross,” the JCC added.

Asking whether ‘it’s nothing to you that Jesus died?’ the JCC noted that many were the onlookers that gathered around the foot of the cross.

“For us, however, this is a posture and approach that must be rejected, for we cannot be mere spectators to the plight of the oppressed. Ours is a call to righteous actions, truth-telling and holy living in nation-building. The Church must stand as a beacon of hope and light, as we call for justice, integrity, and transparency in the corridors of power, with our politicians and within the Church, ‘so that Jamaica may under God, increase in beauty, fellowship and prosperity, and to play her part in advancing the welfare of the whole human race.’”

Continuing, the JCC said: “Our race is not a mad rush to the finish line of personal accomplishment; instead, it is a race that patiently bears with the poor and marginalised. It is a race that seeks the lost and dying, that bears with understanding the plight of fellow human beings.”

The JCC said the resurrection of Jesus is not merely a historical event, but a timeless message of hope and transformation which calls us to be advocates for peace and to build communities.

“So, this Easter Sunday, let us proclaim hope and pursue holiness with the knowledge that the seeds we sow today through our words and actions will profoundly impact the destiny of generations to come. May we together join hands across this nation and be integral instruments of God’s grace and presence as we seek to build ‘Jamaica, land we love.’