He must be guessing at the direction of Jerusalem because we are in a plane 35,000 feet over the Mediterranean Sea, or Turkey, and he is standing at his seat bobbing and weaving. He must be guessing. Periodically he raises the Hebrew Scriptures to his lips to kiss the Word of G-d (they never write the word “God” or pronounce it out of great respect).
People are staring at him, others ignore him. But he doesn’t give a rip what anyone thinks. He is in the presence of the G-d of his fathers Abraham, Isaac and Jacob. He is attempting to obey the 3,000-year-old commands of Moses and that is all that matters to him.
He then sat down. While others turn off their reading lights and cover their eyes to sleep, this Orthodox Jew continues reading his Hebrew Bible–living in the holy memory of his people and their God.
Other than my wife and I — crossing ourselves to pray when the plane took off — I didn’t notice any Christians displaying their faith openly. Maybe there aren’t any Christians on this plane; yet again, maybe there are some onboard but they are keeping it to themselves.
Will you be ashamed to show your faith today, or will you too live the whole day in the presence of God? We are going to do our best to demonstrate the reality and love of God — and to show our devotion to him.
This Post Has 2 Comments
Hello Steve and thank you for your thought-provoking post. I am a recent convert and would also like to encourage all faithful, fellow Catholics to not hesitate in wearing visible signs of our faith when we travel. This is a simple way of evangelizing; it speaks for itself and if we are duly kind, joyful, and reverent, our co-travelers will make the right connections. What’s more, visibly wearing a rosary or pin or medal helps us to think and act more like Jesus with regard to the world, lest we be guilty of hypocrisy. What better place to be this visible light than in a crowded plane or terminal full of frustrated, impatient, and likely lost people. We never know where these little things will lead. Safe travels.
Roldan
Hello Steve, we do that, but in private like our Lord command it. We evangelize with our actions and if it’s necessary we use words, you know the frace. Keep the good work.
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