This week, the nation of Trinidad and Tobago reaches the maturing age of 44. In normal circumstances persons reaching that stage of life might be considered to have arrived at their prime.

Nations are not people, however, and while our natural tendency is to want to compare one country with another as we compare one person with another, it is perhaps more so the case with nations that each one must chart its own course.

How the nation advances, particularly in an environment defined by the international community, is a mark of the quality of its leadership and the readiness of its citizens to serve the nation.

Strong leaders, whether in the areas of politics, law, religion, sport or the arts make the most of the nation’s assets and resources: they bring out the best in its people and aid development.

True growth or development in Trinidad and Tobago is not gauged by the price of the barrel of its oil, which it can do nothing to determine, or the impressive shape of its city skyline. It shows in an acceptable standard of life for all its citizens and in the commitment of its people to nation building.

The success of the Soca Warriors in Germany continues to inspire. Every achievement by a national of Trinidad and Tobago in an international forum today, whether in sport or some other discipline, seems vested with new meaning because of the achievement of the Warriors. Unabated crime, however, pointing as it does to deep-seated ills in our society—in family life, education and the moral value system—must undermine and cast doubt on any real growth.

Mature Christian faith

All service that enriches is first of all service to God. In today’s first reading, Joshua now leader of all the tribes of Israel asks the people gathered before him to decide whom they will serve. He saw that kind of clarity as essential for the life and future of the Israelite nation. “Choose today whom you wish to serve,” he says, “as for me and my House, we will serve the Lord” (Joshua 24:15).

In response, the people recall all God has done for them and choose to purify themselves of their false allegiances. “We too will serve the Lord, for he is our God,” (Joshua 24: 18) they declare. The moment of recollection becomes a moment of thanksgiving.

August 31 offers the people of this nation the opportunity to recall the past and to look to the future and to give thanks. The historical moment of looking back and looking forward becomes richer with each passing year. But it has to be approached with sincerity and courage by leaders and people in general, if growth is to be strengthened. The nation’s anniversary should give pause to all citizens to consider the nature of their service.

As Church, called to be the body of Christ, our responsibility is to remind all our people about whom they should serve.  But this body, too, must help all its members to come to a place of maturity in their faith so they might be able to serve God and contribute to the growth of the nation.

The programme of lifelong adult formation, which is to be launched shortly in the Archdiocese, is therefore not to be taken lightly (see page 13).

A mature Christian faith is essential to a mature Trinidad and Tobago. Such a faith constantly challenges and rearranges how we do what we do as a nation.