It is Good Friday. What a day! Darkness prevailed.

Apr 03, 2026 Features / Columnists, The GHK Lall Column

(Kaieteur News) –There were those who turned to Judas, then turned him. Then they turned into smooth representations of him. They weren’t pandits and ayatollahs. They were the powers of religious tradition in Jesus’ time. Men immersed in Mosaic laws, the teachings of their forefathers: Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. Rabbis and others with impressive titles: scholars and doctors, elders and scribes. They had an angle on how to get to Jesus; the foot race was on to get Judas. To sell himself first. Sellout Jesus next. Seen or heard that around here recently? Help is coming.

Who are the loudest in Guyana that babbles about excellence in leadership? A swami or a yogi doesn’t have to prove anything. He is already on the inside, a favored friend. Ditto maulvi or maulana, who sits tight and let the big people come to them. On the other hand, many men and women wearing Christian garb prove what was meant by do not render garments, render heart. We are for unity and the prosperity that that brings to Guyana.

So, they swallow hard, ignore Biblical commands, bond with deceivers. It was a quick fall for Judas. How about 30 pieces, that’s all that it took. Times are hard, and think of how much of a difference those would make. There’s more from where that came, same valuable coinage. Not much is being asked for: Give the man a kiss, and leave the rest to those who know where to take matters from there. The tripwire staged especially for Judas, and the powers netted their man. Jesus’ goose was as good as cooked. Of course, he had to be hung on that cross first as a warning to others who get ideas that they can create trouble and get away with it. Stand in the way, become an undesirable, and get ready to pay the price. The Romans had their Final Solution in good working order long before the Germans.

Today, there are Guyanese who follow Christ, better believers and fellow travelers than me. And, where are they? Try this one that they forgot. The love of money is the root of all evil. Ah, c’mon, not that again! Who cares! Give to Caesar what is due to Caesar, but give to God what belongs to God. My Good Friday greeting for men and women of the cloth, but who somehow stand naked in public. They stand with Guyana’s Caesars. Hey, what happened to the flock? The same nervous, faithful, fearful flock. What happened to ‘tend my sheep?’ And ‘ravenous wolves will come, tear apart the weak sheep?’ Who is watching out for them, caring for them? Wrong question, it is about who is watching out for themselves, taking care of their ambitions.

Go back to Judas and examine how much of a player he was. Who is playing whom in Guyana, especially from the leadership ranks of various Christian denominations? The regular worshippers pray and hope, only to watch their pastors and vicars engage in full-out self-help. The kingdom of God is tomorrow, still to be seen and felt. The kingdom of PPP Guyana is right here, right now. Only a fool wouldn’t jump on that bandwagon. Aaal ah wee is waan. From jumping for joy with Jesus, it is jumping onto the PPP money bandwagon. Y’all leave space for me. No please or thanks; leave my share fuh wen ah readee.

Sweet Jesus! This cannot be happening, when Sunday morning’s inspiring messages camouflage the ambitions of the clever clergy, who take matters in their own hands and lineup for a photo op. Guess with whom? Here’s a clue. It’s not with the poor and powerless of Guyana. Judas reborn. Judas coming out of the Churches and climbing the steps of political cathedrals. Just as how Judas sold Jesus up the creek, so Jesus’ bosom companions sell Guyanese down the river. Survival of the fittest and swiftest (and smartest). What would Jesus say? This is what I say: Guyanese Christian Judases are having their day. They sell themselves. Revel in their rewards. Like Judas, there comes that time when the sight of their faces torments them. Meanwhile, I urge faithful believers to absorb Good Friday’s peerless sacrifice, hold its calls close.

(The views expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of this newspaper.)

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darkness, GHK Lall, Good Friday, Judas

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