As the nation matures and after the experiences of 2005, the citizens of Trinidad and Tobago ought to be in a better position to judge between the things that really do matter and those that do not: to discern what feeds hope and what is the fruit of fear and insecurity. For sure, a new blimp to assist with surveillance and crime-fighting does not of itself inspire hope.

One of the advantages of the new media age in which the world finds itself, is that people, generally, are better informed; they are more equipped to read the signs around them-even the expressions of politicians. It is imperative that leaders themselves are not taken in by the superficial, by the lie.

In today's gospel on the Feast of the Epiphany, Herod pretends to have a desire to see Christ, the Light, but he does not-not really.

The feast is a significant one on the Christian calendar, a celebration of the Light that is Christ. In the Magi, the three strangers from the East, the Church sees her foreshadowing. It marks the revealing of God's plan to make us all, " members of the same body " (Ephesians 3:6). The Magi point the way for the Church in adoration and in spreading the Good News.

Epiphany is, therefore, a good time for the Church to take stock of herself; to look again at how she is performing her primary role of proclaiming the gospel message.

One recurring theme in messages of Archbishop Edward Gilbert over the past weeks has been that the faithful should live seriously their Christian life.

Calm resolve for 2006

He again broached the subject in his New Year's Day message, saying, "We cannot be hypocrites." He asked: "Are we making an effort to live the values of the Covenant? Are we making an effort to be in relationship with Jesus the Lord, in the Spirit?" He was saying that outward observance would not sustain the relationship God wants to have with his people or the peace they seek.

Epiphany is also about hope, living by the hope that Jesus held out to his followers. Again, the Archbishop noted in his New Year homily that, "hope is an irrepressible element of Christian faith."

It is true, however, that people sin against hope. To give false hope is to lead others to despair and presumption.

Our leaders cannot give in to Herod-like fear and insecurity. The gospel story shows that that kind of attitude can have particularly disastrous results. The year 2006 calls for calm resolve.

The Church, called to be Light, has much to say and much to do. In the midst of the fear and confusion that the already high murder rate for 2006 provokes (and this after 386 in 2005), it must ceaselessly point to "another way", and to the fact that darkness cannot overpower the Light.

The Church needs to do so, however, with true humility. The Light which must continually shine, and the hope it is called to foster are works of the Spirit. A know-it-all attitude and complacency are not safe perches when God is in the story.