DON’T WAIT FOR GODOT
“Can a blind person guide a blind person? Will not both fall into a pit?” – Luke 6:39
In college, I had to write an analysis of Samuel Becket’s play titled Waiting for Godot, an
example of the Theater of the Absurd that stems from Albert Camus’s
absurdist philosophy, which in turn is a branch of the existentialism
philosophy pioneered by Soren Kierkegard. Existentialism proposes that man’s existence is absurd because he is incapable of finding meaning or purpose.
Such absurdity is delineated in Waiting for Godot, a
tragi-comedy about two characters, Vladimir and Estragon, who wait on a
country road for someone named Godot. You think nothing happens in the
play because Godot never comes.
Two characters arrive—Pozzo and his slave Lucky. But they are not much
of a help for Vladimir and Estragon because Pozzo becomes blind and
well, Lucky seems to be a useless servant. Yes, it’s a case of the blind
leading the blind as we are reminded in today’s Gospel.
Some interpret Godot as God, and for us Christians, that really is
absurd because we believe God comes to us especially when we are in
trouble. And, because of our faith, we know our existence has meaning.
We need not wait for Godot. Cynthia U. Santiago (cusantiago@gmail.com)
Reflection: Who is your faith mentor?
Lord, grant that I will never be blind to the truth that You are my Teacher and You give meaning to my life.
St. John Chrysostom, bishop and doctor of the Church, pray for us.
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