Pare out the rituals, the pomp, the splendor and the hours long coverage. Leave aside their political and religious implications. What one then saw was a celebration of life. One saw the world's leaders, the powerful and the disadvantaged, the strong and the weak, the religious and the spiritual and those that have expressed their extreme positions on issues - in fact, leaders who would be the absolute example of a Babel of voices.
Two hundred of the world's leaders were together in broad daylight, in full view of the world, shoulder to shoulder. Each acknowledging the others' presence and everyone's right to be there. Then there were the common folks, the young and the old, the impressionable and the ardent believer, the able-bodied and the strong at heart. All sharing
the same breathing space, unawed, unimpressed but respectful.
Technology and the media did not have to go too far and wide, to place the leaders and the common man side by side on TV. Sophisticated cameras were doing their work within less than a third of a square mile and beaming the vivid images of humans to all parts of the world.
As the Holy Mass proceeded, we heard the Prayers of the faithful in different languages. We did not need to be told which specific languages they were. We saw during the Offertory Procession, people from different nations bringing in bread and wine to celebrate the Last Supper. We did not need to be told what nationality they were. There was no need for labeling any aspect of the proceedings.
After the Lord's Prayer, when asked to exchange the sign of peace, none of the leaders needed any coaching or indoctrination. They just smiled, shook hands, hugged - even well after the Cardinal proceeded with the rest of the mass.
The crowd cheered this man on his exit. He was a revolutionary by apologizing for the Church's actions and inactions at various times during its history - from the case against Galileo to the Crusades to the Holocaust. Tears were being shed but not with feelings of hopelessness. Obligatory attendance was not the case. People were there to applaud a great man at his funeral. It seemed like that all we needed was a reason, and even our leaders come together for shared moments in life. It was not about religion or politics. It was the spirit of Man that was being celebrated.
People were not there to help with a disaster situation. They were not there to declare war. They were simply there. Just as hordes of people were there when the Berlin wall came down, and when the system of Apartheid was dismantled.
We have, in our lifetimes, witnessed the narrowing of boundaries. Perhaps for the first time in the history of mankind we saw a glimpse of leadership sharing the common man's vision. Perhaps leaders will learn to not to look at others in disdain or anger. Maybe they will even collaborate? Could this be the beginning of an enlightened era?
One can always hope!
Manick Rajendran
