“Lifting up his eyes to heaven, Jesus prayed, ‘Holy Father, protect them in your name that you have given me, so that they may be one just as we are one.’” (John 17:11)
May 20, 2012
Seventh Sunday of Easter
John 17:11-19 Reading Here
Fr. Robert deLeon, CSC
“The 50-something year-old white woman arrived at her assigned airline seat to discover that the passenger already in place next to her waiting seat was a black man. Visibly shaken, she called the stewardess.
“‘What's the problem, Madame?’ the stewardess asked politely.
“‘Can't you see?’ the now irate woman asked. ‘I was given a seat next to a black man. I can't sit here next to him. You have to change my seat.’
“‘Please, calm down, Madame,’ advised the stewardess. ‘Unfortunately, all the seats are occupied, but I'll see if there’s something we can do to assist you.’ The stewardess left to consult with the captain and then returned some minutes later to address politely the angry woman.
“‘Madame, as I told you, there aren’t any empty seat in this class – economy class. I spoke to the captain, and while he confirmed this information, he did say we had several seats available in first class.’
“And before the woman could say anything, the hostess continued. ‘It is very unusual for our company to allow a passenger from economy class to move into first class. However, given the circumstances, the captain thinks it would be a scandal to insist that a passenger travel beside an unpleasant person.’
“Turning then to the black man, the stewardess continued, ‘Which means, Sir, if you would be so gracious as to collect your things, we have reserved a seat for you in first class.’
“With that, all the nearby passengers who had witnessed the unfolding scandal started applauding.” (Original source unknown)
While this story has accumulated many miles traveling in cyberspace, I don’t know that the incident actually happened – and I guess it doesn’t really matter. What’s more important is that the story invites our consideration of a thinly-veiled evil in contemporary American culture. Indeed, racism remains a powerful demon, snarling even more menacingly, it seems, during this election year. It’s in this context that we hear the story of an airline stewardess who stood up to the dragon with courage even while maintaining a professional demeanor.
The gospel passage we hear today is set after the resurrection and before Jesus leaves his disciples to ascend to his heavenly Father. St. John writes, “Lifting up his eyes to heaven, Jesus prayed, ‘Holy Father, protect them in your name that you have given me, so that they may be one just as we are one.’” (John 17:11)
Indeed, Jesus seems to be experiencing the anticipatory pain of separation, the very pain we all feel as we prepare to part from those who have meant much to us. Whether it be a parent seeing a child off to college, a long-time neighborhood friend moving to a distant city, or the pain of grief at the death of one we’ve loved – it hurts deeply. And, as today’s gospel illustrates, Jesus has experienced this uniquely human pain, his prayer to the Father probably even accompanied by the shedding of tears.
Most certainly the heavenly Father has heard and answered the prayers of his son, Jesus. Just so, God watches over us, offering protection from the demons of our day. And more – God emboldens us to confront them with courage.
While the opening story centers on the demon of racism in our contemporary culture, there’s another insidious evil so pervasive that it’s become nearly invisible. I speak of the sin of selfishness, the drive – sometimes conscious, more often not – that puts me first, the needs of others only considered after my own have been met. And this demon knows no distinctions of race, class, gender or creed.
Just after Christmas last year, a hospital colleague posted on Facebook a story simple and powerful that illustrates the counter-cultural response one might make as Christian witness. She wrote:
“Every so often, but especially near the holidays, when I go through the drive-up window at Dunkin’ Donuts, I’ll give the kid an extra $20 and tell him or her it’s to pay for the car behind me. I really get a kick out of it when I imagine it being the one little thing that brightens someone’s day – to know that I can make a difference in a stranger’s life.
“Well, guess what? Someone paid it forward for me! I was the recipient this morning at Dunkin’ Donuts. I am never that person! And do you know what? It was the one little thing that brightened my whole morning. So, ‘Thank You,’ person in front of me, whoever you were! It's nice to know that people really do pay it forward.”
Doing one little thing that might brighten someone’s day; to know that I can make a difference in a stranger’s life: It’s the answer he so deeply desired when, “Lifting up his eyes to heaven, Jesus prayed, ‘Holy Father, protect them in your name that you have given me, so that they may be one just as we are one.’” (John 17:11)
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