Gadsby-Dolly: Corpus Christi about sacrifice

Delivering Corpus Christi greetings on behalf of the Government, as the House of Representatives adjourned until June 23, she said Christians the world over hold the body and blood of Christ to be very significant, adding that Corpus Christi was a constant reminder of the importance of sacrifice for others.

Gadsby-Dolly said all MPs knew the meaning of sacrifice as they worked for the benefit of their constituents, adding that the Bible urged everyone to walk in the way of love.

She said if there was one thing the country needed it was love and the experience of Roman Catholic priest Fr Clive Harvey, who was robbed and threatened with death this week, was testimony to this fact. She said that as the country celebrated Corpus Christi today every citizen should exalt its principles as they followed the example of Christ.

Speaking for Opposition Leader Kamla Persad- Bissessar and other members of the Opposition, MP Rushton Paray quoted Luke 9:17 on the miraculous feeding of the 5,000, saying that in reading and understanding that gospel, the term solidarity came to mind.

He said solidarity meant unity and fellowship and Corpus Christi was the solidarity of God with man, which he said was a solidarity that never ran out and never ceased to amaze human beings. Paray said God draws us near in the sacrifice of the cross and lowers himself into the darkness of death to give his life which overcomes evil, selfishness and death.

He said the pledge of solidarity is a pledge to strive to work together with our fellow men of every creed and race for the greater happiness of all and the honour and glory of the country.

He said Corpus Christi should be the day which allowed everyone to reflect on their thoughts and actions.

“Let it be the day when we can destroy the seeds of doubt, hatred, inequality and injustice,” he said.

Wishing all a blessed Corpus Christi, House Speaker Bridgid Annisette- George took a more secular approach, saying that citizens consider Corpus Christi a day for planting as tradition holds that it is the most fertile day of the year.