BALANGA CITY — Social distancing has impacted society’s normal way of living and even most forms of communal church activities and religious practices but, on the other hand, can be used to build one’s intimate relationship with God and caring for one another, a prelate said Sunday.
Bataan Bishop Ruperto Santos encouraged Catholics to use the free time from social distractions as a period of transition – from praying collectively to praying alone.
“I am certain the quiet moments spent solely with God will be nonetheless meaningful, not only because He will give us the opportunity to understand ourselves better but more so He will reveal Himself to us in a profound way,” the prelate said.
He noted that what he termed as period of solitude will help one build an intimate, unique and very personal relationship with God: “Be confident to share with Him whatever is in your heart, all your fears and doubts during these alarming times.”
Santos asked Catholics to focus on positive things and opportunities to grow in the midst of the pandemic: “Although nothing will replace being physically present in our churches, we have been blessed to be virtually connected to the Church through live streaming. These are creative ways by which we can still nurture our faith.”
He said that by nature, humans are sociable, love gatherings and are in quick chats wherever they are. But as Catholics, he said, one can truly gain from social distancing. “We can be physically apart yet still united for everyone’s safety. There is no close physical contact and yet connected to care for one another. We can be temporarily distant and yet bonded with the common good.”
Social distancing is a learning experience of how we discover a new sense of gratitude for our relationship with God, our families and our community,” Santos said.
He urged everyone to follow government in its call for social distancing with the main goal of containing the spread of the deadly virus.
