Lent reminds us of our vulnerability

Well, this week began with the shock announcement by the Pope that he is retiring.  This was his decision and a decision he made in all good faith.  It all makes sense and, for me, speaks of a healthy and courageous outlook on life and the Church. 

It has often struck me that a real gift in life is to know when to move on and it is a gift many seem to lack.  So I applaud this decision as courageous and as an act of leadership for the good of the Church and of the Pope himself.   

Yes, it breaks centuries old tradition that says that you remain as the reigning Pope until you die but tradition can be broken and recreated for good.  The Pope's decision reminds us of how vulnerable we are. 

That is a message of Lent which began this Wednesday.  Lent reminds us who we are, that we are not the all-powerful and in control beings that we might think we are at times.  Yes, we do have power; yes, we are strong for life and can do much; but we are also vulnerable.  Vulnerability does not mean weakness.  That is part of the mistake in our not wanting to identify ourselves as being vulnerable for we think that is just admitting that we are weak and no one wants to hide in corner for the duration of life.  That is not what vulnerability is about.  It rather calls us back to reality, reminding us that we do not stand alone and that we need God and each other in life and that our strength lies in our standing together more than in our standing alone. 

This was my message during mass when we went to the prison yesterday.  I had heard how violence is an issue in the prison and I imagine it is as ones fight and battle out their territory and grievamces.  It struck me that vulnerability is the key here for if I see myself as all-powerful, the strong and in control person, then I have to defend my ground when others threaten me or are seen to belittle me.  If, however, I recognise my vulnerability as a fellow human being, then I can see that I am human like everyone else and that we are in this together.  Life then becomes not about proclaiming to the world who I am.  Rather it becomes more about facing together the shared questioning around 'who am I?'.  Life then becomes a school of learning about what it means to be human together rather than an exercise in control to keep one's position on top in force at all times.  As we accept our vulnerability and listen to what it has to say to us, so we will show more respect to others and ourselves as well because we will understand each other and ourselves better.  When we respect others, we will not do violence to them.  When we respect ourselves, we will not do violence to ourselves.