Time to press the reset button

Being away from the house of God, does not mean being away from God.

That’s the message Senator Reverend John Rogers, Rector of the St. George Anglican Church, is sending to Barbadians, who may be concerned that they cannot congregate in a physical sanctuary as Barbados moves to Stage 3 of its COVID-19 National Pandemic Preparedness Response.

The Barbados Government recently set a curfew in place from Saturday March 28th until Tuesday April 14th, from 8:00 p.m. to 6:00 a.m. for all residents, except those who are part of the essential services and key businesses,s and Barbadians are being advised to limit their movements during the day and to work from home where they can. All churches and places of religious worship are closed during this time, though weddings and funerals will be allowed to continue, but with restrictions in place. Weddings are limited to just the bride and groom, the official witnesses and marriage officer, whilst for funerals, there will be no more than ten mourners gathered at one time, along with the officiant, the funeral director and the necessary staff.

Senator Rogers meanwhile says that Barbadians can use this time of the shutdown period to “hit the reset button” and to enhance their relationship with God.
“For Christians out there who may feel as though the carpet has been pulled from under them, our God is omnipresent and as you sit in your homes, as you huddle with your families, know that God is there and that God will listen and hear your prayers and respond to your needs,” Senator Rogers urged.

He further noted that this time can also be used as a period of reflection and introspection.

“Perhaps on a deeper spiritual level, it is a time to do exactly what Lent calls us to do, carry out the type of introspection necessary, even as religious institutions. Sometimes it is easy to go through the motions from one day to another,” he commented.

“Perhaps it is a time for us all as individuals and institutions to sit in our homes and re-assess and reinvigorate ourselves, so that when this time passes, we may find ourselves being better versions of the persons we were, better versions of the institutions we are now, a better nation that can forge a future, not just focusing and counting material things as a sign of success, but getting back to a deeper spiritual value of humanity,” Senator Rogers suggested. (RSM)