Richard Ho Lung - diary of a ghetto priest

It is shocking to know that 29 Jamaicans committed suicide in the first six months of 2008.

This is not Jamaica. We are a positive people; a people who live in hope.

As a young man, I remember Jamaica being totally free of any occurrences of suicide. Though poorer overall in those days, and lacking technology, our island was full of laughter, and everyone seemed to delight in the joy of simple existence. In the 1950s and 1960s, there was much kindness among all peoples, and a sense of the abundant goodness and beauty of everyone. A petty theft, divorce, anger, or a simple murder would bring horror on our general population. That's when God was central to the hearts and minds of everyone, and we all respected life.

Now we are known to be the murder capital of the world. Life is not of great value, neither our own life nor the life of others. This is the way we are seen and known by many European and North American countries: Jamaicans are a violent people.

Saddened

I am deeply saddened by this reality as I live in the ghetto where the wounds of Jamaica are most palpable. Missionaries of the Poor is glad to live among the poor, but saddened by the crime rate, and the attitude of our neighbours who simply seem to exist day by day without a purpose, and without joy.

In these days, Jamaica must stand ready to do what is right despite the pressure of life. We must love God, give thanks for our life, and respect the life of others. We must learn to bear whatever befalls us, even unto death, otherwise there will be no peace or calm in our hearts or in the hearts of those around us.

I believe with Christ in our hearts, we must carry our nation, and our Jamaican brothers and sisters so deeply disturbed, into a world of calm. This is done by a deep commitment to Christ, and a deep commitment to our country - for better or for worse. In the midst of the fire, we must not be burnt. In the midst of the storm, we must remain concentrated and focused on the Lord. Thus, we will be indestructible.

But in our times, if we should concentrate on the storm and the sea, we will sink. The world around us - the cost of food, of gas, of clothes, of housing, of water, of electricity, of school fees - will make us wild. We must take our time, simplify our lives, remove the TV and all its values, go back to basics and a life of simplicity. Perhaps we should turn to a life of agriculture; simple family life in which we come to know and love our family members; live Christian values of purity of hearts and minds; work for one another, share with one another. We must have much love and fewer things. In a word, a life of simplicity rather than sophistication.

Heavy crosses

Jamaicans are accustomed to struggle. We are a people who can endure heavy crosses. It's the reason why Jamaicans are a strong people. The cross of Jesus is at the root of our lives. We have made laughter out of our sorrows, and turned things around by our readiness to endure.

Life is tough and for some of us, it is impossible. Materially, we cannot see our way through, but if we are ready to climb down the ladder rather than up, we will survive.

As we do this, the cross can bring sweetness to what is bitter. It will lead us to the spiritual realities of life, rather than to a life of material comfort or riches. We can, in our poverty and simplicity, achieve humility - that queen of all virtues.

In a word, the deprivations in our daily life can bring us closer to Christ, and on the road to the kingdom of God. By the cross we are saved. By the cross we will find life, and hope. By the cross we will find our salvation.

Suffering and struggles are in the heart of life and will lead us to inward peace. At this time, the Lord might want us to learn to bear suffering, and to be like Him - simple and unadorned, hanging on the cross as we await the resurrection.

Very Rev Fr Richard Ho Lung, MOP is founder and superior general of the Missionaries of the Poor; for feedback, columns@gleanerjm.com.