I would just like to voice my concern about something I observed at the community open-air meeting that was hosted by the Royal Virgin Islands Police Force on March 21 at the Sticket in Long Look.
I was glad to see the good turnout from those in the community and the many who listened from their porches and homes. I also was glad to see the young people — especially the young men who gathered and were listening from a distance.
I want to publicly thank the young man known to me only as “Joe,” who came forward as the only youth to voice his concern. I applaud his courage, honesty and representation for the many young men who are hurting and feeling the sting of rejection. He mentioned three times in his talk that he was hurting, and he mentioned the situation that caused some of that hurt. When he was done, there were only about three people who clapped for him. And, as he walked away from the crowd, there were those who laughed at him.
There are some things I would like to say:
• Firstly, to the young man and the many others hurting like him: Ask God to help you with the hurt you are feeling and to help you forgive them.
• Secondly, I want to personally apologise to Joe and ask his forgiveness on behalf of all those who laughed at him Monday night.
• Thirdly, I want to ask all those who did laugh if they realise what they were doing? Are we like those people mentioned in the Bible in the story of the Good Samaritan in Luke 10:29-37?
Bible story
A soul was wounded, helpless, crying out for help and left to die after being a victim, and three people passed by. The first, in verse 31, “Saw and passed on the other side of the road.” The second, in verse 32, “Came and looked and also passed on the other side of the road.” But the third, in verses 33-34, “Saw him and had compassion and did what he could do to help him with his own resources that he had.”
Jesus then asked the question, “Who of these was the true neighbour?”
I ask us all the same question: Which of these three are we?
I don’t condone the crimes that are happening in our communities or those who commit them. It’s wrong no matter what excuse they may want to give. Two wrongs don’t make it right, and God will hold them accountable.
But I challenge all of us: Whatever we can do to be Good Samaritans in our communities, let us do it. We may not all have the resources, but we all can pray, we can listen to the hurting cries, and we can encourage those who feel hopeless.