Forgiveness Is Key

Monday, February 09, 2009

Today we remember on the grounds of the Cabinet Office a horrific act that took place centuries ago to a slave by a slave-owning society.

Today in Bermuda there is universal condemnation of the act for its sheer brutality and as a symbol of racist oppression.

Whilst we still have a way to go to make Bermuda a model social environment free off all vestiges of racism, we must ask ourselves to what extent this monument will help bring us closer together as one people.

To that question I say, please read the scriptures, particularly the Psalm of David, Chapter 113.

I pray that as people look at this statue they are reminded that Christ also was tortured, and that he died on a cross at Calvary.

My fellow Bermudians, please be mindful that when Christ was crucified he still had love in his heart to ask his Father in Heaven "to forgive those” persecuting him and to offer forgiveness to the criminal next to him who recognized him as Lord.

Such is the example of Our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

So I say to the people here gathered and to the people of Bermuda, when you look at this monument be reminded of Jesus Christ who overcame a similar fate for our sins!

For as we pray today, we pray that Sally Bassett knew Christ; for if she did, she would have triumphed over her cruel persecutors!