Take stock of your lives

PRIME MINISTER Patrick Manning yesterday urged the population to use Easter as a time “to take stock of our own lives, renew our commitment to God and our families, develop healthier lifestyles and promote greater spirituality in our communities.” In his Easter address to the nation, the Prime Minister declared: “In the very permissive and confused circumstances of today’s world we cannot afford to ignore so important a call. We are not to take for granted the many important spiritual values of this Holy period, as indeed others observed by the people of our nation. “Caring and sharing, self-restraint, commitment to doing right and the unwillingness to facilitate wrongdoing in any form must become individual and social commitments.”

Manning said once individuals and communities inculcate such values, “there will certainly be positive, tangible consequences for our society.” Noting that the Lenten season was a period of self-restraint and repentance while Easter is a culmination of a period of spiritual rejuvenation, the Prime Minister said all citizens must see Easter as an opportunity for a new beginning “from whi-ch onwards we aim at improved standards of personal conduct and behaviour, also emp-hasising and inspiring these among friends, families and within our communities.” Manning also urged every citizen to make a greater personal contribution to better living for all in society, “by improving the standards we set for ourselves and seek to inspire in others.” “Let us also commit ourselves to working diligently towards this challenge until the best standards and values overwhelm and surfeit our nation,” he added.