Sean Major-Campbell | Of earthquakes and repentance

Therefore we will not fear, though the earth give way

and the mountains fall into the heart of the sea, though its waters roar and foam and the mountains quake with their surging. Psalm 46:2-3

On Tuesday morning at around 3:19 a.m. some parts of eastern Jamaica were rocked by a 5.3 earthquake. What I felt gave me no idea that it was so strong. I thought to myself, this feels like a 3 and almost like a movement on water. I later learnt that the epicentre was located 80 kilometres east of Manchioneal, Portland, which places it in the Caribbean Sea between Jamaica and Haiti.

While earthquakes have been long used as a literary image in religious writings, earthquakes are among the most frightening realities of human experience. Jamaica is no stranger to catastrophic earthquakes. We are all familiar with the well documented 7.5 magnitude Port Royal Earthquake of June 7, 1692; the 6.5 magnitude Kingston Earthquake of January 14, 1907; And since the 5.4 magnitude earthquake of 1957 in western Jamaica, the more recent 5.4 magnitude earthquake was on January 13, 1993.

Prior to the arrival of catastrophic monster Hurricane Melissa, I personally heard people declaring that no hurricane would be coming to Jamaica! This was while we were getting warnings for a direct hit from a Category 5 storm at landfall. This is nature. Renewal and possibilities and new discoveries may arise from the experience of natural disasters.

Back to earthquakes. Earthquakes have produced some of our most beautiful hills and valleys. Seismic activity and the play of tectonic plates are also part of how nature does its thing. We cannot tell the possible date of Jamaica’s next catastrophic earthquake. We may however be sure that a 6.8 to 7.7 magnitude earthquake is on its way. I am not sure what being ready for this means.

It would be interesting to hear more about the pressure point that is moving westward from Haiti–that point at which Haiti experienced its more recent catastrophic earthquake. That pressure point has no other place to go but Jamaica! Wikipedia notes, “ These pressure points are critical because they accumulate tectonic stress, making them more likely to rupture during earthquakes. Historical events, such as the 2010 magnitude 7.0 earthquake near Port-au-Prince and the 2021 magnitude 7.2 earthquake on the Tiburon Peninsula, occurred along or near these structurally complex zones. GPS and geodetic studies show that slip rates vary along the fault, with 6 ± 2 mm/yr near Port-au-Prince and lower rates in the eastern segments, reflecting differential strain accumulation.”

It is with these realities in mind that I see Jamaica on the radar for at least a 7.2 magnitude earthquake.

EARTHQUAKES AND REPENTANCE

A major Lenten theme is repentance. The biblical prophetic tradition used the earthquake image to affirm the power and judgement of God. The earthquake was therefore used as a literary device to draw attention to the need for repentance.

This is seen in the book Amos: The words of Amos, one of the shepherds of Tekoa — the vision he saw concerning Israel two years before the earthquake, when Uzziah was king of Judah and Jeroboam son of Jehoash was king of Israel. He said:

“ The Lord roars from Zion

and thunders from Jerusalem;

the pastures of the shepherds dry up,

and the top of Carmel withers.”

Israel must have felt confident and comforted by the prophesy against her neighbours, Syria (Aram/Damascus), Philistia (Gaza, Ashdod, Ashkelon, Ekron), Phoenicia (Tyre), Edom, and Ammon. After all they were hostile to God’s people.

Then suddenly in Amos Chapter 3, the prophesy of judgement turns against Israel: Hear this word, people of Israel, the word the Lord has spoken against you—against the whole family I brought up out of Egypt:“You only have I chosen of all the families of the earth;

therefore I will punish you for all your sins.”

In the tradition of Israel’s prophets, the church today would do well to take heed. Thanks to cable television and Internet facility the teachings and practices of many from the space of church and quasi church groups are plain for all to see and hear.

While we do not have to wait for a disaster to understand our need for repentance, the church which understands itself as God’s people should repent of its sins and return to the ways of justice and truth. We only must look at the life and teachings of Jesus Christ to understand that “Christian nationalism” is not in accordance with the life and teachings of Jesus the Christ.

Israel’s Scriptural tradition of hospitality and care for the stranger and foreigner is being treated with disregard by many who use the label of church and Christian. Racism, price gouging, classism, idolatry, empty worship, and greed are all defended by some under the banner of church and Christianity! Even the cult of personality has replaced the good news of Jesus Christ.

I would not be surprised if some of the survivors of Hurricane Melissa now have a reorganised set of priorities in terms of life, and the value of people and relationships over things! Oh, that we would learn.

TIMELESS WORD

In a matter of months, and we will again be in the 2026 hurricane season. However, earthquakes are always in season and out of season. Earthquakes belong to all time! Jamaica is on course for at least a magnitude 7.0 Earthquake. And this is regardless of the good, the bad, and the ugly.

The ancient Prophet Amos preached at a time of much material prosperity and disregard for the poor. It was a time when justice was denied. There is however a timeless word from Amos that is most appropriate for the United States of America, Jamaica and the wider Caribbean, and the Middle East.

“ Seek good, not evil,

that you may live.

Then the Lord God Almighty will be with you,

just as you say he is.

Hate evil, love good;

maintain justice in the courts.

Perhaps the Lord God Almighty will have mercy

on the remnant of Joseph.”

Fr Sean Major-Campbell is an Anglican priest and advocate for human rights and dignity. Please send feedback to columns@gleanerjm.com and seanmajorcampbell@yahoo.com