It has been a year since the COVID-19 pandemic began in the world. Who would have thought that the world hasn’t gone back to “normal” yet? Although Australia is doing much better today, for many people in the world, Lent this year is still low-key, or dare I say, humbler.
Since Lent is an intense preparation for the Paschal festivities, in a certain sense, it always has a strong theme of humility. This season of conversion is meant to remind us of our need for God’s mercy, healing and purification. The Church as a family goes into this collective retreat to reflect on the love of God who always calls us back to Himself. We immerse ourselves in the spirit of humility of Him who “emptied himself, taking the form of a slave, being born in human likeness” (Phil 2:7).
Humility is not an end in itself. It is only an instrument to realise our smallness and, hence, our dependence on the greatness of God. We cannot do everything alone and, in fact, we are not designed that way. We have to rely on God and each other in our earthly sojourn. We cannot save ourselves.
Speaking of being dependent on others, I would like to share with you my experience from my studies. This year I have to take a course in another university. The environment is new; the classmates are mostly new and the professor asked us to do some group work.
“Great …” I thought.
Up to this point, group work has not been a norm at my university.
What the lecturer said after giving that announcement made me think about relying on others’ help.
“Group work is good for our humility,” said this Polish Dominican priest.
Group work brings people together and, while it sounds like a good idea, it is not always easy to execute. It asks for humility from each member. Often we have to accept the fact that our idea is not the best for the group or, that a suggestion that we think is trivial might turn out to be that one idea that determines the group’s success.
I guess we can say then, humility brings people together, realising a communion between persons. We cannot do our Lenten journey alone. The practices of penance, fasting and almsgiving are designed so that we can stop turning inwards, and worrying about our own needs. The recognition of our need for communion opens ourselves up so that we can start turning outwards, that is to God and to our brothers and sisters in need.
Deacon Adi with a classmate from the Gregorian University, don Alberto after Mass at the Chapel of Madonna della Bocciata in St. Peter’s Basilica.
