On Sunday evening, I accompanied my daughter Dana-Marie to the University of the West Indies' Festival of the Nine Lessons with Carols, at which event, she was one of the readers. It was an inspiring worship service.

At this carol service, Reverend Dr Roderick Hewitt, United Church chaplain and former moderator of the United Church of Jamaica and Cayman and the international ecumenical Council for World Missions (CWM), gave the meditation on the topic 'Keep Hope Alive'. It reminded one of United States (US) civil rights leader, Rev Jesse Jackson's 1988 mantra, 'Keep Hope Alive'.

It is a relevant message now, as it was in the US in 1988, as well as at the Advent of Jesus. Dr Hewitt reminded the capacity-filled University Chapel that, without hope, we are twice defeated in life. He challenged the audience that with or without the International Monetary Fund, (IMF) we have hope. This resonated with the congregation. He also asserted to a congregation that included Isaiah Parnell, US charge d'affaires and his family, that, whether "he (Dudus) is extradited or not, we have hope." He asserted that, with God, there is hope. This hope he maintained was based on patience: A patience that is not the folding of hands, but engaging in hard work.

Hope is a desire to obtain a particular object and an expectation to gain that goal. When there is little probability, it is mere wishful thinking - such as winning a lottery. When there is a reasonable expectation that the goal can be achieved, then that is hope - such as Usain Bolt defending his World Championship titles. Real hope must be rooted in reality. Otherwise, it is mere optimism like the statement that Cash Plus clients might get back a portion of their deposits before Christmas.

It is clear that there are persons of hope and in Haiti, Zimbabwe, Iceland, and Guyana. Nevertheless, these countries are in serious economic problems. Hope alone will not prevent Jamaica from ending up as those countries. Hope is allowing ourselves to be inspired by God to make proper decisions and take wise actions.

However, it difficult to have hope in Jamaica's economic future when the response of the Government is to increase taxes in a shrinking economy, which did not work in April or September, but the Government expects, by some miracle, it will work this time. This is after government financial analyst Dennis Chung reminded all that increasing taxes will cause the economy to decline. This is after a leading private-sector investor suggested improving tax compliance. Furthermore, increasing taxes on persons who cannot afford them will push the country closer to social unrest and upheaval.

Then, there is the important allegation against Christopher 'Dudus' Coke about drug trafficking and gun trading, and its possible effects on hope. The prime minister stated in Parliament that the extradition is held up because the extradition request contravenes Jamaican law. Obviously, that is the opinion of the solicitor general. However, if the extradition contravenes Jamaican law, it is not for the prime minister to determine that, but rather it is the RM court that should determine that. Under the treaty arrangements the Government is to determine whether the procedure has been followed, and the judiciary to determine if it is contrary to Jamaican law.

Peace and prosperity

Hope ought to be based also on speaking truth to power without fear or favour. The Christian faith claims that hope is not only in this life. Persons of faith should not fear those who can harm the body but cannot hurt the soul. Hope is based on Jesus who overcame death and offers the possibility for us to fearlessly and justly promote peace and prosperity now.

Let's keep hope alive!

FOOTNOTE: Dwight Nelson, the minister of national security, identified an error in my article 'Supporting Stewart Saunders' (November 26) which gave the incorrect date of Major General Stewart Saunders' appointment as October 26.

Devon Dick is pastor of the Boulevard Baptist Church and author of 'Rebellion to Riot: The Church in Nation Building'. Feedback may be sent to columns@gleanerjm.com