"There is still a struggle in me between the need to go up, in order to command, and the call to go down, to listen to love, and to be vulnerable to others." - Jean Vanier*

While those words apply to many, few of us would face such strong temptations to revert to command as our default way of interacting with others. Vanier was trained to command. At the age of 14, during World War II, Vanier enlisted in the British Royal Navy as a midshipman, and served as an officer in the Canadian Navy while still in his twenties.

Vanier also, one could say, was bred to command. His father was a career diplomat who served as Canada's ambassador to France and later as Governor-General of Canada. His family was part of a powerful elite; he grew up among "movers and shakers."

Having met Vanier, I understand his words about his struggles even more. He is, quite simply, a commanding presence - at least six-and-a-half feet tall, with broad shoulders and a large head. Even in his mid-80s, he appears a figure of great strength.

But he is truly a gentle giant. We saw this not only in his kind reception of us, but also as he interacted with some of the disabled residents of L'Arche. It is not simply his humility that is remarkable (although it is!). I think the key, really, is his willingness to be vulnerable. And that is a struggle even for those of us not accustomed to command!

 "Jesus invites his friends to lay down the garments that give them a special status, to remove the masks that hide their real selves, and to present themselves to others humbly, vulnerably, with all their poverty. To become humble and small, requires a loving heart, purified of its fears and human security, ready to love to the end, in order to give life to others."*

Such is the choice, up or down, that each of us faces daily.

*Essential Writings, 84.