A small footstep

Some years ago a black South African woman was interviewed on television. At the time she was running an orphanage for children whose instead of shoring up our riches, walk parents had died of HIV/AIDS. One could see that the children were her life; she loved them unconditionally and was totally committed to their welfare. As the interview drew to a close the interviewer asked her, “What would you like to leave behind as your legacy when you die?” The woman thought for a moment and then replied, “When I die I hope I will have spent everything I have.” She went on, “When I meet my Maker, I want to be empty-handed because I want to have used every gift God has given me. When I die I want to leave nothing behind except a small footprint that might help others find their way.”

Here is someone who understood that the only legacy God looks for is the legacy of love. Expending her energies on the children, she gave all she had without counting the cost. And because she gave all, she is, like the widow in the gospel (Lk 21:3), rich beyond measure. Her ‘little footprint’ is more powerful than all the monuments erected to the rich and famous in our world.

How good it would be if we began our journey with a ‘little footprint.’ If we take stock of our lives and, instead of shoring up our riches, walk through the days and months in a spirit of giving and sharing, we will undoubtedly uncover many hidden talents that God has given us to build up community. Loosening our grip on those ‘must have’ possessions, ridding ourselves of the accretions that blind us to the poverty and pain of others will help to puncture our inherent narcissism and free us to really ‘see’ the other. We travel light when we let go of prejudices, when we forgive, when we pay attention and respond to the nudging Spirit in our hearts.

This is not the agenda of one day, or even of one year, but it is a call to conversion. We cannot do it alone; almost certainly after the first flush of resolution we will soon slink back into our old comfort zones. But we are not alone, the Holy Spirit is with us, ready to give us those gifts of courage and wisdom and perseverance that we need. May we be large in our loving, generous in our service and ready to tread lightly on the earth, our ‘small footprint’ a sign of loving reverence for all His people, for all His creation.

Sr Redempta Twomey is Assistant Editor of the Far East at St Columban’s, Navan, Ireland.

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