October 15, 2004
A number of years ago I was heading down to a Youth 2000 in Texas when a friar priest on my right asked me a question one doesn't particularly like to hear on an airplane: "Do you smell smoke?"
I thought maybe they had burnt the toast for breakfast, but soon the smoke was billowing in the cabin and the stewardess was running up and down the aisle cursing and opening every compartment, which didn't exactly put us at ease. As the pilot announced to us his plan for an emergency landing, I was grateful to be sitting between two of our friar-priests. (I was still a brother at the time) You see, as they exchanged Absolution, I was able to get in on it (sort of a Confession sandwich) and at this moment of truth I piped in "uh, me too".
After a dramatic but safe landing in Philadelphia we found out it wasn't a serious problem (really it wasn't - I don't want to add to anyone's fear of flying!), so we were among the few that got back on that plane to make it to the retreat. As I reflected on this experience that night and still to this day there is something immensely consoling about it. The consolation is that I was more excited than afraid. I was telling God that I had a lot of questions ready for Him! The realization that I don't have to be afraid of death made me also ask "What's the point in being afraid of anything?"
Our Lord tells us not to be afraid of those who can kill the body, but only to fear the perdition of our souls. St. Teresa of Avila was so confident in the Lord that she remarked "When I depend upon Him I feel so strong that I think I could stand firm against the whole world." St. Margaret Mary Alocoque had a similar hope because the Lord Jesus revealed to her the strength and tender mercy of His Most Sacred Heart. We are not called to a mere optimism that everything will go smoothly and easily, but to have a hope in Jesus that all things will be well. May the Lord give you this hope and His peace, to the praise of His glory!
Fr. Richard Roemer, CFR
Community Vicar, residing at St. Joseph Friary in Harlem
P.S. May I ask you to remember in your prayers St. Elizabeth Hope Ministry
and all couples who are hoping to conceive children. Thank you.
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