For everything there is a season, and a time for every matter under heaven: a time to be born, and a time to die;
a time to plant and a time to pluck up what is planted;
a time to kill, and a time to heal;
a time to bread down, and a time to build up;
a time to weep and a time to laugh;
a time to mourn, and a time to dance;
a time to throw away stones, and a time to gather stones together;
a time to embrace and a time to refrain from embracing;
a time to seek, and a time to lose;
a time to keep, and a time to throw away;
a time to tear, and a time to sew; a time to keep silence, and a time to speak;
a time to love and a time to hate; a time for war, and a time for peace.
What gain have the workers from their toil? I have seen the business that God has given to everyone to be busy with. He has made everything suitable for its time; moreover, he has put a sense of the past and future into their minds, yet thy cannot find out what God has done from the beginning to the end (Ecclesiastes 3:1-12 NRSV).
“For everything there is a season…” (Ecclesiastes 3:1)
The many roles our brother Calvert performed, is a testimony to his intelligence, wit and resiliency. We commend him to his Creator. May his breadth of vision, and patriotic fervour inspire us to reach, dream, and create; and like him leave behind a legacy of public service and goodwill. He ‘fought a good fight.’
The writer of Ecclesiastes looked at life in all of its perplexity, and came to the sobering conclusion that, there is purpose even in the face of tragedy. Listen to the author’s conclusion: “He has made everything beautiful in its time. He has also set eternity in the hearts of people…” “Eternity” is not a barren waste, which ends into nothingness. It is an internal desire which like a magnet draws us forward towards a purposive existence. We affirm that the Creation will not end in mindless groping, but in fulfilment. To deny its reality is to cheapen our existence as human beings.
It was with the understanding of “eternity” the writer states, “For everything there is a season, and a time for every matter under heaven.”
It is a reminder to us that between birth and death, each of us is given twenty-four hours to be purpose driven, or be like a feather on the ocean driven by the wind and tide to an unknown destination.
I declare to you today that the time is now; the season is here in this land of beauty to think big and act boldly; shun the cult of mediocrity, and strive for excellence. The passion for excellence must become a personal and a national obsession, which will in time create among the young a hunger and thirst to ‘dream the impossible dream,’ ‘to run even the feet are weary,’ to follow the star of endless possibilities. Then, and only then will my island home become a reservoir of ideas and ideals, which will shape our destiny and make us the envy of the region.
The season is here, the time is now to ‘cast off selfishness and greed,’ which if unchecked, will turn us into a nation of haters. Hatred is an equal opportunity destroyer which saps the nation’s energy to pursue ljustice, peace and the goodwill for all. Hatred is also divisive, and robs us of the will to collectively face the external forces and internal divisions, which if unbridled, will shape the destiny of this island in their image and likeness, condemning us to become the perennial followers.
The season is here, the time is now to forgive the years of hurt, betrayal and misunderstanding. When we do healing has begun. And that healing ripples out, and becomes an agent of transformation in families and by extension the nation.
The season is here, the time is now to make a choice, not for partisan political, social, or economic gains, but for the love of Anguilla. This is best expressed in the words of President John F. Kennedy at his inaugural speech January 20,1961. “And so my fellow Americans: ask not what your country can do for you—but what you can do for your country.” May I humbly add, “My fellow Anguillians, ask not what Anguilla can do for you—but what you can do for Anguilla.” Once we free ourselves from the chronic obsession with personal and sometimes family goals, and collectively embrace the ideals of giving back to our country; the history of resiliency demonstrated by our ancestors and bequeathed to us, will be an anchor to guide us through the maze of change which surround us.
The season is here, the time is now to say “yes” to unity. Let us heed the words of Jesus of Nazareth, “A house divided cannot stand.” A house united will. I declare to you today that with faith anchored in the God of our Ancestors, and the bond of unity among us, we will face the unknown with an indomitable will and nerves of steel—and overcome.
