In the 1960s, there was a catchy song with the lead line - "What the world needs now is love, sweet love". May I be bold enough to suggest that the apt song for today would be - "What the world needs now is humility, tough humility". I say this as our present world is full of strong egos who think they own the world. They just go around, doing what they want, where they want, when they want, not caring about anyone else.
This makes for an absurd world, one which is becoming more and more precarious. What to do?
I see a way coming from my brother in Augustine, Pope Leo. On Holy Thursday last, when reflecting on Jesus' washing the feet of his disciples, he told us:
"Indeed, through this act, Jesus purifies not only our image of God but also our image of humanity, for we tend to consider ourselves powerful when we dominate, victorious when we destroy our equals, great when we are feared. In contrast, as true God and true man, Christ offers us the example of self-giving, service and love."
As I reflect upon this, two questions come to me.
1) Who is at the centre of the universe?
Not me, that is for sure. As human beings, we are other centred. As we go into our centre, we find God right there. Our God is the humble God who is right there, showing us the way of love, a way of sacrifice.
2) What are we called to do?
Simply to love as God loves us, to be humble as God is humble. Following such a way, we will become more human and our world less absurd.
Think about it. I surely do as this is revolutionary stuff. Our power is in our being humble, as humble as the humble God who washes our feet.
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