My brothers and sisters in Christ,

  Every year we celebrate the Lenten season with devotion. Every year we participate in liturgical celebrations with the desire to walk a journey of personal encounter with Jesus so that He gives us the grace of conversion of all our faults and sins. This year we must accept the new situation that the corona virus has created around the world. But for us, as Christians, this does not have to be a limit, but an opportunity to prepare ourselves with more dedication for the mystery of God’s infinite love in his Son, Jesus Christ.

  I offer a summary of the Message of Pope Francis for Lent of this year that shows us the path of conversion by practicing faith, hope and charity.

  1. Faith calls us to accept the truth and testify to it before God and all our brothers and sisters.

  The truth that has been manifested in Jesus Christ asks, first, to let the word of God come and live in us, and the word is Jesus Christ himself who took our human nature, and He will be the way for everyone to reach true Life. That is why fasting places limitations on our body and renouncing something so that we can live with simplicity of heart and rediscover the gift of God, understand our reality as a creature.

  When we accept living poorly, we will become poor with the poor and “accumulate” the wealth of love that gives and receives. “Fasting helps us to love God and our neighbor, since love is a movement outward that focuses our attention on others and considers them as one with ourselves” (Fratelli tutti, 93).

  Lent is a time for believing, for welcoming God into our lives and allowing Him to “make his dwelling” among us (cf. Jn 14:23). Fasting involves being freed from all that weighs us down – like consumerism or an excess of information, whether true or false – in order to open the doors of our hearts to the One who comes to us, poor in all things, yet “full of grace and truth” (Jn 1:14): the Son of God our Savior.

  2. Hope as “living water” enabling us to continue our journey.

  Pope Francis invites us to read and meditate on Jesus’ dialogue with the Samaritan woman: Jesus offers the water that gives life, but the Samaritan woman, at first, thinks that he is referring to material water, while Jesus refers to the Holy Spirit, whom he will give in abundance through the Paschal Mystery, bestowing a hope that does not disappoint (Rom 5,5).

  When Jesus announced his passion and death, he said that he would “be raised on the third day” (Mt 20:19). He was speaking of the future opened by the Father’s mercy. Hoping with Him and because of Him means believing that history does not end with our mistakes, our violence and injustice, or the sin that crucifies love. It means receiving from His open heart the Father’s forgiveness.

  In the current reality in which we live so worried, and when everything seems fragile and uncertain, it may appear challenging to speak of hope. Yet Lent is a season of hope, when we turn back to God, Who patiently continues to care for His creation, which we have often mistreated. It is hope in reconciliation. When we receive forgiveness in the Sacrament of Confession, we in turn can spread forgiveness to others. God’s forgiveness, through our words and actions, enables us to live an Easter of fraternity.

  In Lent may we speak words of comfort, strength, consolation, and encouragement, instead of words that demean, sadden, anger, or show scorn. In order to give hope to others, it is sometimes enough simply to be kind, to be “willing to set everything else aside in order to show interest, to give the gift of a smile, to speak a word of encouragement, to listen amid general indifference.” (cf. Fratelli tutti, 223-224).

  In the moment of silence and prayer, hope is like a light that illuminates all the challenges and choices we face in our mission. To enter intimacy, it is essential to “pray to the Father, Who sees what you are doing in secret.” (cf. Mt 6,6).

  To experience Lent in hope entails growing in the realization that, in Jesus Christ, we are witnesses of the new times. It means receiving the hope of Christ, who gave His life on the cross and was raised by God on the third day, and always being “prepared to make a defense to anyone who calls [us] to account for the hope that is in [us]” (1Pet 3:15).

  3. Love, following in the footsteps of Christ, in concern and compassion for all, is the highest expression of our faith and hope.

  Pope Francis continues by saying that love rejoices in seeing others grow. Hence it suffers when others are anguished, lonely, sick, homeless, despised or in need. Love is a leap of the heart; it brings us out of ourselves and creates bonds of sharing and communion.

  Love is a gift that gives meaning to our lives. It enables us to view those in need as members of our own family, as friends, brothers or sisters. A small amount, if given with love, never ends, but becomes a source of life and happiness. Such was the case with the jar of meal and jug of oil of the widow of Zarephath, who offered a cake of bread to the prophet Elijah (cf. 1 Kings 17:7-16); it was also the case with the loaves blessed, broken, and given by Jesus to the disciples to distribute to the crowd (cf. Mk 6:30-44). Such is the case too with our almsgiving, whether small or large, when offered with joy and simplicity.

  Pope Francis asks us to experience Lent with love, which means caring for those who suffer or feel abandoned and fearful because of the COVID-19 pandemic. In these days of deep uncertainty about the future, let us keep in mind the Lord’s word to his Servant: “Fear not, for I have redeemed you” (Is 43:1).

  Brothers and sisters, Pope Francis concludes that each stage of life is a time for believing, hoping and loving.

  “Let us live this Lent as a journey of conversion, prayer and sharing of our goods, helps us – as communities and as individuals – to revive the faith that comes from the living Christ, the hope inspired by the breath of the Holy Spirit and the love flowing from the merciful heart of the Father.

  “May Mary, Mother of the Savior, standing at the foot of the cross and in the heart of the Church, sustain us with her loving presence. May the blessing of the risen Christ accompany us on our journey towards the light of Easter.”

  Taken from the Lenten Message 2021 of Pope Francis.

Bishop Luis Secco

Dear Editor,

  William Shakespeare coined the phrase “to be hoist with one’s own petard” (in Dutch “wie een kuil graaft voor een ander, valt er zelf in”). I do not understand why that is not in the back of one’s head when plotting for another, because nowadays there are so many phrases and slangs which remind one of the results of such actions, for example “Karma”, “payback is a b**ch”, “what goes around comes around”, etc.

  It was in the news. Miss Daniel knew what she was doing. It was no secret and there was a lot of gloating. From all that I have read, I do not believe that Miss Daniel is a victim, I believe that the board, that she helped to get rid of, is the victim if they choose to accept being the victim. Miss Daniel in my opinion is not a puppet, she was the dagger in someone else’s hand. And if she claims to be a puppet then is she letting us know that she was being used to do, in this case, the dirty work? She is very shortsighted.

  Again, from what I read, if you are the head of a department in GEBE I believe that you should have a level of maturity and education to be able to notice when something is not right. And if you go along with it, and it backfires, don’t try to play the victim.

  It is time for us to speak the truth. If Miss Daniel feels that she is a puppet, then who is the puppeteer? Who is she protecting? Is it so, that now that she has experienced the manipulative ways and viciousness of those who have her on a string that she feels intimidated?

  So what should be the next step? Easy. Get on your knees, look up and be honest. Ask for forgiveness, confront those who you know you have wronged and free up yourself by forgiving those who you feel have wronged you. Romans 12:19 explains the rest. Let your experience be your guide from here going forward and, just like I always say, “Do the right thing.”

  Repeating myself. My father used to ask us when we did something that was not right, “Why is there time enough to do it over and not enough time to do it right the first time?”

  Over the years I have read many proverbs which have been interpreted and translated in the way that they were understood. To be kind is more important than to be right.

  The way life is going nowadays I believe that oftentimes what people need is not a brilliant mind that speaks, but a special heart that listens. Because GEBE is known to be the one of the government-owned companies and that GEBE is the company that constantly bails out the government financially, people are curious about what happens in GEBE. Because of the saying “If it is not broken don’t fix it”, people want to know why are those involved (in this case, the puppeteers) so eager to get rid of the board that was making money for the company and, according to what is said, bring in “shady figures”.

  Which makes me think of another well-known saying, “Birds of a feather flock together.” I have known the meaning of the words “integrity” and “ethical” from the time I was a child because when we did something that was not acceptable the first thing we would say “Ai’n do nothing wrong” and our parents’ answer was always “Even though it might not be wrong, what you did was not nice.” As we grew older that “not nice” was explained to mean “not ethical”. And that people with integrity do the ethical thing.

  When I read about the happenings around GEBE and the airport (money dispute) I am not ready to accept that the puppeteers are people of integrity. I cannot affirm if what was said is true, but MP [Member of Parliament – Ed.] Emmanuel is seen on social media labelling St. Maarten as “da Gangsta Paradise” and again it is about money. Not sufficient evidence or getting off on a technicality does not mean innocent.

  On November 3, 2020, we had an example of when people don’t run their country right, how the voters get rid of them. Do not let that go unobserved when it is our turn.

Russell A. Simmons

Dear Editor,

  I called on the Princess Juliana International Airport Holding Company (PJIAH) on Wednesday to make haste to formalise the dismissal of CEO of PJIA Brian Mingo and save the airport employees from victimization.

  I have accused the CEO and other Dutch consultants of fleecing the airport, and I have been made to understand that the CEO is very pre-occupied with trying to determine how Members of Parliament are in possession of confidential information.

  Among several MPs raising concerning questions on Monday about the ongoing re-construction of the airport, I highlighted the amount of money consultants are being paid, the alleged double payment of Mingo, the benefits and perks of these same persons as well as the fact that the airport re-construction bottom line is now at US $131 million, up from US $107 million.

  I know that government has most if not all of the information that I presented in the Parliament meeting. It should not have been left to MPs to raise the issue. The government should have handled this situation already with the information they have. And if they don’t have it, it is negligence on their part. So, the question is now, will the government sit by and do nothing? MPs are the only people employees of these companies can turn to in order to be treated fairly and in the best interest of the country.

  Once again we see the airport CEO pre-occupied with things other than controlling cost overrun at the airport and the actual completion of the reconstruction. The Pandora’s box was opened and now he is reportedly hunting for someone to victimize.

  He is creating an unhealthy and dark atmosphere at the airport; as if airport employees don’t have to worry about enough such as possible loss of income and benefits, now they have to be concerned about a CEO that is unhinged. I urge the holding company to follow its corporate governance directives and as soon as possible dismiss the CEO of the airport. It should have happened already.

  I also urge the replacement of the operating board of PJIAE, who is empowering the CEO and contributing to the mismanagement of the airport reconstruction.

  A capable and caring leader would have taken the first opportunity after the grilling in Parliament to re-assure employees about the airport’s plans moving forward, in which they are included and treated fairly. Instead, the CEO and his right hand CFO [chief financial officer – Ed.] have yet to answer the employees’ questions about the money owed to them and their future status.

  Again his approach is a selfish one that seeks to protect himself and intimidate employees. This atmosphere at PJIA is not conducive for progress and definitely not a comfortable place for what should be a dedicated and committed workforce, something we have always known the airport employees to be. One person has negatively influenced that working spirit and it is time for that person to go and go now.

Christophe Emmanuel

Independent Member of Parliament

Dear Editor,

  Parliamentarians asking to merge the PJIAE and PJIAH boards?! So, one company owning assets and operations? How about government making the PJIAH go “Poofff”, take back the ownership of all the assets, and sign an agreement with the PJIAE to operate the lot. Use the money they save by not having to pay Big Money to PJIAH brass, that was not the case when Mr. Joseph Peterson ran a tight ship (alone and for peanuts, I might add) to re-employ some laid off SXM Airport workers in dire need.

  And then the question: What happened to the “We for our locals – Parliamentarians”? Certain locals don’t need defending? Last time I checked Brian Mingo is as local as they come. But he ain’t playin’ ball with the true fleecers, so now he must go?

  (P.S. – Glad I was able to teach Christo a new word in English: “Fleecing”. And before he goes down that old worn-out path again, I do not owe taxes!).

Michael J. Ferrier