By Sue-Ann Wayow
DESPITE an extended curfew on Thursday for the religious holiday of Corpus Christi, citizens are still being encouraged to use the hours available to plant something substantial that will uplift self and country.
The holiday celebrated mainly by Roman Catholics has also been designated a day to begin planting by citizens.
Prime Minister Dr Keith Rowley and Opposition Leader Kamla Persad-Bissessar issued greetings and encouragement on the occasion.
And Agriculture Minister Clarence Rambharat in a message to AZPNews.com on Thursday said, “As I have done in previous years, I encourage citizens to plant something today without breaching the curfew. It can be something as simple as patchoi or ochro. I also encourage people to plant trees which can produce fruit, provide shade, hold soil together and add to the country’s beauty. Let’s prepare for the time when Covid-19 and today’s restrictions will be behind us.”
Dr Rowley in a Facebook post told the nation to be mindful that the Christian body is representation of God’s unconditional love for mankind.
He wrote, “In his last hours on earth, Christ was severely tortured, his body disfigured, yet he never turned from the mission, given by the heavenly Father, the message of a new and eternal life for man, should he turn away from a life of sin. Today, many see their daily lives as recurring difficulties, one of ups and downs, failures and small successes; for them life is taking them on a painful journey.
“These feelings, we all know, are caused to be intensified in this period, but remember that the fundamentals of the Christian beliefs are teachings of hope bolstered by abiding faith. There is the promise of Jesus that each one of us will find out, eventually, that God is everywhere. He is in every human activity; he is here with us now.”
The prime minister encouraged all to search for love at this difficult period as well as adhere to one of the national watchword “discipline” in following all health protocols.
He stated, “The control of this virus is in our individual hands. Just as Christ had his mission on earth every citizen should accept his or her individual responsibility in following the health care regulations, to counter the spread of this virus.”
And Persad-Bissessar stated, “With churches closed due to Covid-19 measures, the faithful have not been able to receive Holy Communion in the traditional manner, nor are they able to celebrate this occasion as they would have in years past. However, as many families and citizens throughout our nation feel a sense of hopelessness and are broken by the loss of loved ones, loss of livelihoods and massive turmoil caused by the Covid-19 situation facing our nation, we are called to find courage as well as faith in the presence of God within our nation.”
Regardless of any religious faith, citizens should reflect on God’s greatest gift which was his presence and that goodness shall prevail she stated on social media.
Persad-Bissessar added, “I urge those in authority to lead this healing by hastening the relief they have committed to our nation as many are facing peril. I know the days have been dark with uncertainty and the futures of many seem grim, but we must remember that our citizens are amongst the most dynamic in our world and with God’s blessings we will remain a resilient people.”
