Party Leader’s Easter Message

May the glory
and the promise
of this joyous time of year
Bring peace
and happiness to you
and those you hold most dear,

History teaches us about an annual procession entering Jerusalem to mark the beginning of the week of Passover, the most sacred week of the Jewish year. Like Passover for the Jews, Christians mark the start of Holy Week on this same day, which we all know as Palm Sunday. For many, this week, which ends with Easter, is the most sacred week of the Christian year.

This Easter, Christians in Belize will mark the occasion by going to Church, giving candy and Easter eggs to the children and especially by giving thanks to God for the great sacrifice of his beloved son.

Christians believe that to make ready for Easter, to celebrate the Resurrection of the Christ, one must first enter a period of reflection and repentance. The period of Lent, which is this time of reflection and repentance, is a time of sacrifice, of cleansing, and preparation for the moment when we believe redemption comes.

In a more secular Belize, Easter is our extended weekend.  It is a time when Belizean families get together to go on a trip or to attend the numerous events planned around the country.  The two extra days of holiday provide for much recreation, but for some it provides an opportunity for rest and relaxation.  Of course the Easter Weekend or Semana Santa, is also the occasion of the Annual Cross Country Classic, one of Belize’s most prestigious events and a race that tests the endurance of its participants.

Whether Belizeans will use this Easter weekend to mark the religious events or simply as our version of a spring break, this Easter weekend will be like no other, for it will come at a time of great unnerving.  On Thursday, 1^st April, which is the start of the financial year, a series of new taxes will roll out.  With these new takes will come new demands on our people, especially the poorest among us; it will also come with more job cuts and less opportunity for Belizeans to prosper.

We all know that there are times in life when we must sacrifice, when we are required to give more.  Often we do this willingly, but when the purpose is just and the reward is improvement.  These new taxes which Belizeans are being asked to pay will be burdensome and will come at a time when we are already making do with less.  There will be no real reward at the end of this period of sacrifice, which for us is disheartening.

As a nation we have faced adversity and oppression before, and with the grace of God, and because of our love of country and liberty, we endured.  We in the PUP will always believe this because we believe in the strength and determination of the Belizean people.

So as we prepare for the start of the new financial year, as we brace for the new challenges ahead, we are every mindful of the formidable strength we Belizeans possess.  Like our Cross Country Riders, we will endure the hardship and weather the storm, always moving forward.

May the glory and the promise of this joyous time of year bring peace and happiness to you
and those you hold most dear, and may Christ, Our Risen Saviour, always be there by your side
to bless you most abundantly and be your loving guide.

On behalf of the People’s United Party, I wish all Belizeans a safe and blessed Easter.

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