The archdiocese invited the Chinese Community to the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception for a Mass of Thanksgiving to celebrate the 200th Anniversary of the Arrival of the Chinese in Trinidad and Tobago. I offer to the readers of my column the text of the homily that I preached at the Liturgy.

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“My Sisters and Brothers,
I welcome the Chinese Community to the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception for this Mass of Thanksgiving. Eucharist means thanksgiving. It is the highest form of gratitude that can be celebrated in the Church. It is the fitting context in which to remember the contribution of the Chinese Community to both Church and nation.

We offer the Eucharist for the Chinese Community to provide an explicitly spiritual context for the celebration of this truly significant anniversary. We celebrate Eucharist on a day when the Church is reflecting on various elements of covenant that were proclaimed in the readings: commitment, mutuality and fidelity. These three criteria of the covenant are what make anniversaries possible. Eucharist helps us to remember the covenant and it strengthens us to live it with persevering fidelity.

There are two ways to celebrate an anniversary. One way is to remember the beginnings, to list with justified pride what has been achieved and to honour the people who were responsible for what is being celebrated.

The second way to celebrate an anniversary is to look at the meaning of the anniversary so a continuity base can be established for the future. I have chosen the second way because your lives as members of the Chinese Community will continue beyond October 12 as will your responsibility to share your culture and values. 

A theology of history

I have read a great deal of the history of the Chinese community over the last week. I want to put your history and your 200th anniversary of arrival in Trinidad and Tobago in theological context. As Catholics, we believe as a result of the Resurrection that Jesus is Lord of history – not just of history on planet earth but of the entire universe. Jesus redeemed the cosmos.

Everything that happens in history happens for a reason. The reason may be directly intended by God or it could be the result of God redirecting the results of evil intentions into growth factors for his people. 

God guides history to its ultimate conclusion. I quote the faith statement of the Second Vatican Council: “The Lord is the goal of human history, the focal point of the longings of history and civilisation, the centre of the human race, the answer to all its yearnings.”

The application of the theology of history is not just theoretic. It has practical application to the Chinese Community as it celebrates its 200th anniversary of arrival. The application is this: While there were probably specific reasons for the departure of your ancestors from their homeland and for their arrival in Trinidad and Tobago in 1806, the departure from China and the arrival here was also part of God’s plan for them and for Trinidad and Tobago as God guided history. It was no accident.

Most people do not view history theologically. In fact, generally they do not think in terms of theology. They see things from a personal viewpoint e.g. searching for ways to improve their quality of life. They view things economically, politically or even militarily.

Those dimensions of conscious planning are understandable enough, but they are incomplete. The unfolding and confluence of history is according to the plan of God. The implementation of God’s plan can take centuries or even millennia.

I invite you to look at your arrival theologically. Why did God bring your ancestors to Trinidad and Tobago? What did God call them to do here? What is God calling you to do for Trinidad and Tobago as you move beyond your 200th anniversary? How does God want you to share your significant gifts with others?

The importance of culture

A second important element in your anniversary concerns the issue of culture. Culture by definition is a historically transmitted pattern of meaning embodied in symbols and rituals by means of which people communicate, perpetuate and foster their knowledge and attitudes about life.

Culture is the response to the fundamental need of people for identity, meaning and a sense of belonging. Pope John Paul II called culture the self-expression of the human person as he/she journeyed through history.

Archbishop Gilbert offers the sign of peace at the Cathedral

In a real sense, although we may not be fully aware of its influence, culture affects how we feel and think, how we act and react. It is very important for all of us to recognise how powerful culture is in our lives.

The Church has a growing respect for the cultures of the world and is committed to the important process of inculturating the gospel.  As the Church gathers cultural data on a worldwide basis, it is recognising more and more that, as a result of globalisation, people are beginning to experience identity crises.

The impacting of cultures is so intense and is happening so fast that many people cannot cope with the resulting confusion. The social scientists are even concerned that a global culture is developing that will eventually absorb the cultures of many small nations.

Your 200th anniversary raises the important question of how you plan to reaffirm the elements of your ancient culture that is filled with wisdom that should be shared with the people of Trinidad and Tobago.

That will not happen automatically. It must be a conscious decision accompanied by a well-planned strategy. The programme of events that was prepared by your bicentennial committee is just one example of how your cultural history could be shared with the nation. 

All of us must work for national unity and a strong national identity. However, we all should be very careful to protect our cultural roots. If we are not careful globalisation will absorb us with the result that we will all be the same.

An appreciation of thanksgiving

A third element in your 200th anniversary celebration concerns an appreciation of Thanksgiving. In this celebration we are thanking God for the Chinese community and for what your community has done for the Church and the nation.

We are thanking God for you. That is not surprising. What could be overlooked is that you should be thanking God for your place in history, for your culture and for the positive impact you have had on the development of both Church and nation.

Paul’s advice to the people of his time was ‘Give thanks in all circumstances.’ He added, ‘Be watchful in thanksgiving.’ As I mentioned earlier, Eucharist means thanksgiving. It reminds us to be thankful for the new covenant which binds us together in solidarity and for the privilege of being in relationship with God.

Factor spiritual gratitude into your 200th anniversary celebration! Make spiritual gratitude a part of your lifestyle as individuals and as a community. The future does not belong only to those who can process information accurately and quickly.

The future also belongs to those who understand their place in history, understand their culture, understand themselves and, most importantly, understand how to confront a secularised world as a people of faith and covenant.”