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 God 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.

By: Cynthia U. Santiago, Philippines (cusantiago@gmail.com)

REFLECTION:  Who is your faith mentor?