[OPINION] You’re just a man

A few months before the COVID-19 pandemic started, significant changes were happening in my life. New opportunities as well as challenges confronted me as I stepped outside my comfort zone. It wasn’t easy, but I would say that I was enjoying the process and found meaning in what I was doing. 

In the midst of this shift in my perspective, COVID-19 came without warning, like a thief in the night. The world was changed forever. Suddenly, we became conscious of our mortality. Of course, everybody knew that death was part of life, but as much as possible, we tried not to think and talk about it. For the young and healthy, death was a distant observer waiting at the end of a 100-year race. For the advanced in age and the sick, death was an unwelcome friend sitting at their bedside. And sometimes in the midst of our endless activities, we fail to be grateful for life’s blessings.   

Now with COVID-19, death has caught humanity’s attention. At any moment, our life or the lives of our loved ones could be in danger because of the virus. Nobody is spared: rich and poor, young and old, from all walks of life. We mostly have mild cases in this country, but still, thousands have already died.

And for those who were admitted to hospitals and were blessed to have recovered after several days, the expenses were still overwhelming. All over the world, people lost their jobs. Millions have become poorer – all in a matter of months. 

Who would have thought that alcohol, face masks, and face shields would become hot commodities? Less than a year ago, many people could not leave their houses without their mobile phones. Now, it’s face masks that are a must – plus face shields, quarantine passes, and bottles of rubbing alcohol. 

Every night, news about death, poverty, and injustice flood the television. We could get numb to these if we don’t pay attention to the details. The troubling political dynamics in our country add to the frustrations, and distract our focus from what’s urgent, which is the fight against the virus.

The 80’s song “Tatsulok” by Buklod, and popularized by Bamboo a few years back, comes to mind. “Hindi pula’t dilaw tunay na magkalaban,” cried Noel Cabangon. I think this is still relevant today. The enemy is the virus, not the color of our political stance and affiliation. Our enemies are poverty, hunger, and injustice. But even having common enemies cannot unite our leaders. And it seems that objectivity is overcome by personal interests. But enough of that. I won’t focus on those issues here. 

From my vantage point, our present realities made me ask serious questions about life. After several months with COVID-19 around us, some people have gotten used to things and have somehow embraced the new normal. But the community quarantines made me look at how I am living my life versus how I want to live my life. What have I done so far and what do I want to do more with my life? The pandemic reminds me that man has to define his/her life’s purpose however unpopular they may be to the eyes of the world. Our purpose is our mission. Otherwise, what’s the meaning of our struggles? And what joy is there in our life?

The pandemic also reminds me of what really matters; they are genuine friends and family, kindness and generosity, faith and love. Being genuine applies not only to friendship, but to everything that matters in life. Fake news is so rampant these days that even values like generosity, kindness, love, and the like could be faked. But with all of these, I think the greatest lesson that COVID-19 is trying to teach us is the difficult lesson of humility.  

One cool afternoon while the rain was unexpectedly strong, I remembered the story about the great Roman Emperor Marcus Aurelius. It was said that in order for power not to get to his head, Emperor Marcus hired an assistant whose only role was to follow him and whisper in his ear as he walked through Roman towns amid people’s praise: “You’re just a man. You’re just a man.” As great as Emperor Marcus was, he knew that he was just a man. Not God. 

I wonder if these are the words that COVID-19 is also trying to whisper in our ears – not to look down on our humanity but to keep our feet on the ground, to take the difficult lesson of humility and to rely on a higher Being. Maybe it’s not easy to be humble when one is great, when people bow down at one’s feet, and when one can buy anything he wants at any time.

But this lesson is not only for the leaders, the rich, and the famous. The lesson of humility is also for me. This is for all of us. We all need to have this kind of assistant, a friend, real or imaginary, or a voice within to remind us of this reality. Then perhaps we will be more grateful for all the blessings that come our way. And maybe, just maybe, the world will be better. There will be more love, more compassion, and genuine concern for our fellow humans, for the plants, and for all creatures. For our environment. I can imagine COVID-19 whispering these words in our ears.

Regardless of how great or not so great your life is at the moment, “You’re just a man. You’re just a man.” – Rappler.com

Shaun Silagan is a religious missionary.  He was active in the ministry for almost a decade before exploring other meaningful work involving art and culture.