Absurd Choices

The Polish writer Wisława Szymborska said, “I prefer the absurdity of writing poems / to the absurdity of not writing poems.” Many people consider writing poems to be a frivolous activity, given that few people are likely to read them and much more important work is always at hand. Poets, on the other hand, find it absurd not to write poems, which help us be attentive to the marvels of the world, grateful for our unfolding lives, and empathetic to the struggles of others.

Similarly, following the way of Jesus is considered to be an absurd choice by many people. Love your enemy? Seek to be last rather than first? Sell what you have and give it to the poor? Yet to persons who see all things as inter-related through Christ, it is absurd to view others as strangers to be feared, ignored, or exploited. Instead, they are to be welcomed and cared for as if they are an extension of oneself—as if they are kin (akin) to me.

Neither writing poetry nor following Christ is easy. As G.K. Chesterton said, “The Christian ideal has not been tried and found wanting. It has been found difficult and left untried.” However, an easy life is not necessarily a satisfying life. Seeking what is true, beautiful, and good leads us to fulfillment, and as Plato remarked, “Poetry is nearer to vital truth than history.” And Christ brings us closer still to vital truth, if we dare to embrace the absurdity of loving God with all our heart and loving our neighbor as ourselves.