Friday of Week 32 in Ordinary Time (Year II)
Saint Martin of Tours, Bishop
2 John 1:4-9 | Psalm 118(119):1-2,10-11,17-18 | Luke 17:26-37
When [the day comes for the Son of Man to be revealed], anyone on the housetop, with his possessions in the house, must not come down to collect them, nor must anyone in the fields turn back either. Remember Lot’s wife. (Luke 17:30-31)
About two weeks ago, I read an article about how American Airlines flight 383 caught fire on Chicago O’Hare airport’s runway as it was taking off, forcing its passengers to leave the plane in a manner that we all hope never to experience.
That led me to a second article about how one woman was cursing her fellow passengers for slowing down the abovementioned evacuation…by taking the time to grab their luggage from overhead compartments and roll them down the aisles, doubtlessly catching on multiple armrests along the way (at least, that’s been my experience with rolling luggage).
Then I scrolled down to the second article’s comments, and there was a clear gulf and lots of heat between those who defended their right to retrieve their luggage even in an emergency (rare prescription medications, “if my bag’s in the way, you’re following close enough to trip us both”, etc.), and those who were furious at the first group for endangering everyone by obstinately putting self before others.
(After deep pondering, I’d have to admit that I’d instinctively grab my backpack from the footwell in front of me…but abandon the rolling bag in the overhead compartment.)
✞ ✞ ✞ ✞ ✞
I’m sure you’ve seen this question before:
If your house were on fire, what is the one possession you’d grab on the way out?
I’ve seen the expected answers (car keys, grandma’s photo albums) and the half-joking ones (my spouse/pet), but never the blindingly obvious one:
Nothing – I’d want both hands free to clear any obstacles blocking my way to safety.
So let us all stop and think, and examine the various possessions and obsessions in our lives that keep us from being fully united with Christ in body and spirit,
that needlessly fill our hands and hearts,
that prevent us from pushing aside any roadblocks to strengthening our faith.
Perhaps it’s a nagging urge to “keep up with the Tans”, or a time-consuming fixation with pornography, or a secret gambling habit.
Perhaps we’ve recognized it in ourselves, and “conquered” it many times, only to fall prey again when we let our guard down.
Perhaps we need to admit to ourselves that we need help, and get help, and place such burdens behind us.
That way, some day, we can all truthfully and wholeheartedly answer:
The Son of Man has called on you to follow Him; what will you bring with you for the journey?
with:
Nothing – I’d want to be unencumbered, to make sure nothing gets in the way of doing His work.
Amen.