The death of a father and his attempted killing of his two children bring once more to the fore the sad state of family life, and the plight of the downtrodden and despairing in our society. The tragedy demands a thorough investigation of the circumstances surrounding the crime and challenges the nation to a response. 

Trinidad and Tobago is commonly described as “developing”, that is to say it is not yet “developed” but that there are some signs of development. Where the country lies on the scale of development is a moot point. But what this developing status means is that our people find themselves caught in a vortex of social pressures, both from within and without.

For many living in desperate circumstances in our nation, their concern is not so much about “quality of life” as about survival. But ours is also a society seriously tainted by secular values, a breakdown in family life and indifference – a “culture of death” – facilitated by the rapid development of technology.

Certainly, the tragedy of the kind that occurred two Saturdays ago is not unknown in the so-called developed world, but the weak among us, in our developing nation are particularly vulnerable.

It becomes pressing for all to embrace and preserve the values that have given life to the community and for the society to find ways of fending off the attacks, which threaten it, and protecting those most vulnerable.

It is particularly distressing when our defenceless children and young people are made to pay the price for the wrongs of our society. The crises that our situation breeds, however, must become an opportunity for preserving the best in our society and enriching it.

Family Togetherness

Within us, as Caribbean people, lies the ability to celebrate life. It is evident in our joy and love of music, in our dance and laughter. Among us too are strong traditions of family togetherness and, in ordinary citizens, a real disposition to solidarity with those on the margins of society, often made visible in truly heroic acts. Today, more than ever our society needs to re-appropriate these gifts of God and to resist the pressures to conform to an alien value system.

The Church’s readings in these days of Easter present an important backdrop or reference point for the dark events of two Saturdays ago. Followers of Christ know that light will overpower the darkness. They know they have been called “out of darkness into his (Christ’s) wonderful light” (1 Peter 2:9).

A Church which – at its beginnings and at various times and places throughout its history – has shown itself to be at its best when under persecution and when its members are victimised, has to lead by example and be a refuge and source of strength for the downtrodden.

Jesus’ words of comfort to his disciples, “do not let your hearts be troubled” (John 14:1), at the beginning of today’s gospel, are in themselves an indication that there will be trouble.

Jesus, who himself knew rejection and loneliness, promises that he will bring those who receive his word and believe in him to the place of true peace.

Knowing the love of the Father, the Lord says, “There are many rooms in my Father’s house. If there were not, I should have told you. I am going now to prepare a place for you” (John 14:2). The Church must unceasingly point the way.

Pope Benedict XVI speaks for every Christian: “Seeing with the eyes of Christ, I can give to others much more than their outward necessities; I can give them the look of love which they crave” (Deus Caritas Est).