Devon Dick
I WOULD LIKE to offer another perspective to the Wesley Boynes' Letter of the Day entitled 'Pastor bashes PM's birthday bash' (April 15).
The senior pastor of the Family Church, Ocho Rios, states that "The recent three-day birthday celebrations, which were staged by 'friends' of the Honourable Prime Minister PJ Patterson in recognition of his 70th birthday ... [was] brazenly insensitive of the plight of the majority of Jamaican citizens."
He quoted Ecclesiastes 10 to buttress his broadside against
celebrants "sipping wine, nibbling hors d'oeuvres and dining on lamb, snapper and beef."
'THREE-DAY CELEBRATIONS'
The "three-day birthday celebrations" of which pastor Boynes speaks included a celebration on Saturday, April 9 in Westmoreland.
On the exact date of the birthday, April 10, there was a 'To God be the Glory: Birthday Salute to the Most Honourable PJ Patterson' at Boulevard Baptist Church and, finally on April 11, there was a reception at Vale Royal.
Since I was not in attendance at the functions at Vale Royal or in Westmoreland , I cannot speak about them. I can, however, speak about the worship service that was advertised as open to the public. I led that service.
I can safely say that the Lord's Supper was not observed at the worship service so there was no sipping of wine. Neither was the Passover re-enacted so there was no lamb eaten. In fact, there were no victuals.
However, there was plenty spiritual food offered by pastor of the Bethel Baptist Church, Rev Dr. Burchell Taylor, who encouraged the congregation to embrace meekness, a la Moses, as a virtue necessary for leadership.
OTHER OFFERINGS
The congregation numbering approximately 1,700, larger than the other two functions combined, sang Father Richard Ho Lung's composition Enter into Jerusalem and Noel Dexter's The Right Hand of God.
The Prime Minister's alma mater, Calabar High School Choir, arguably the best high school choir, sang The Storm is Over while the University Alumni Singers sang Lift Every Voice and Sing.
Perhaps the goodly pastor made his observations based on The Gleaner report, which had a fulsome report on the Westmoreland party, attended by 300 persons, while the unique, much larger worship service got less coverage.
But what would be wrong with sipping wine and nibbling food. Sipping and nibbling indicate small amounts and not that a "cup runneth over".
What is wrong with eating snapper, which is my favourite type of fish? Jesus did eat fish. He did turn water into wine, six water pots of wine. What would be wrong with eating lamb, which was the food of the children of God in Egyptian slavery?
QUOTING SCRIPTURES
The concern of the goodly pastor appears to be that the funds could be better used. And he quoted scriptures.
However, he should be careful because some persons could quote other passages. There is a parable about an elder son who was upset that his father had killed the fatted calf (beef) for the undeserving prodigal son.
The elder son stayed away from the music and dancing because he felt that there was someone else more deserving. In addition, Judas was upset that Mary had used an expensive perfume on Jesus' feet, the money for which could have been better spent on the poor.
Quoting Scriptures is like using a two-edged sword. I would not tread there.
But the issue remains at what stage does a celebration become insensitive to persons who are poor. Is any birthday celebration legitimate while persons are hungry?
SOMETHING TANGIBLE
Finally, Pastor Boynes wished that something tangible be done in honour of the PM.
Well, he will be happy to hear that an offering was collected at the worship service in aid of a Possibility Programme and the Boulevard's Baptist outreach programmes, which include dental clinic, literacy classes, remedial classes, sports programme and skills training. He and others can still contribute to those causes, which help persons who are in need.
My wish is that the Prime Minister, in his final budget presentation today, will give presents to the people in thanksgiving to God for long life and service as the longest serving Prime Minister.
The Rev. Devon Dick is pastor of the Boulevard Baptist Church.
