Beyond time

Be honest

Be true

Be humble

Be grateful

Live within your means.

We have a rule in our community that there is no retirement, everybody can do something for the community and for the poor. Now that rule, which I wrote 45 years ago, has caught up with me. I will be 85 on September 17! But I am glad that I wrote it for myself and for our Missionaries of the Poor.

There is nothing more boring than to have nothing to do when we retire. Everyone must do something, no matter how small or large. That philosophy keeps us active and happy, useful and valuable. The Lord wants us to produce, we must never be idle. It is contrary to our Christian tradition not to work.

The man smoking ganja on the side of the street or harassing women or playing domino all day long or watching television from morning to night is contrary to the tradition of wisdom and the call to live on and be useful to the end of our days.

It is dignified, it is respectful, and it is admirable to work while we are still alive. As St Paul says, “Day and night we labour and toil so as not to be a burden. We want to give an example to each other… He told us clearly; if anyone is not willing to work, neither should that one eat.”

There are those who have crippled feet but can still use their hands. There are those who are blind but can speak. There are those who are dying but can still greet with their hands and eyes and smile. The elderly can touch and try to lift their hands, God has given us the grace to be positive until the last breath leaves our bodies.

The Lord tells us that everyone has something to give and something to do. There is no such thing as anyone who cannot be useful. I see it everyday at our eight homes for the homeless and destitute. This Spirit of God, poured out in our homes for the homeless and destitute by our brothers with the gift of the Holy Spirit, brings happiness and teaches our homeless and our helpers how to carry the cross with a joyful spirit and a generous heart.

I fear that in Jamaica today we are plagued by weaknesses such as lateness: no boss is happy with workers who do not come to work on time and do a full day’s work; no employer is pleased with the worker who is not honest and true; no master is happy with those who are not cheerful and pleasant, no one wants slothful people who are forced to do their jobs. That there is always someone in charge and others working under him or her is part of the reality of life. We must work in a generous, Christian way.

Those who have 10 talents should produce 20, those with five talents should produce 10, those who have one should produce two and not hide his talent and bury in the ground.

Jamaica, let us work hard. Let us produce according to the talents, the strengths and the tasks given to us.

I pray that there will be masters like Jesus Christ who wash the feet of His servants and dry them with love and appreciation. Always for the good of the nation finally, and the poorest of the poor!