My View For Awhile: All Roads Edition

Off to Rome. This is the second Sunday in a row when I’ve gone from church pretty much straight to the airport with a brief delay in between.

At Mass today we had a 1st Holy Communion, which is always terrific. After talking for a bit in practical terms about James’ admonitions concerning anger, I spoke about reception and being in the state of grace.

We are getting an announcement that we will have a bumpy ride to DTW and, therefore, no cabin service. I learned that there were lots of flight stops today. DTW is not one of them.

And the text popped up showing that my bag was loaded. So far so okay.

UPDATE:

We landed relatively softly in DTW.   But then there was no one at the gate.  So we waited and waited and waited.   Then they had to find someone to move the jet bridge.   The flight crew asked that people let others with short connections off first, which rarely works.   This time quite a few of us cooperated.

When the aisle cleared up I got up to get my gear.  I’ve done this before, so I’m pretty nimble.  Then a voice boomed out from about 5 rows aft, “GET OUT OF MY WAY!”  The voice emanated from a short woman with very short hair, not quite as wide as tall, with rather masculine glasses and cloths.   As I turned to go up the aisle she pretty much shouted, “GET THE HELL OUT OF MY WAY!”

I continued with a momentary backward glance, as my stride left her in her dust.   Once off the plane, I parked at a chair and rearranged my gear and – behold – she waddled not too quickly off.

Then there was the sullen teen at the register in a shop.

One really needs to take Athenodorus’s advice to the young Octavian: When you are angry, recite through the whole alphabet before you do or say anything.

In the lounge, I fired up the radio, but I didn’t try for any contacts.

The next flight is coming up!

About Fr. John Zuhlsdorf

Fr. Z is the guy who runs this blog. o{]:¬)
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8 Comments

  1. SanSan says:

    Have a safe flight dear Father and a wonderful time in Rome!

  2. UncleBlobb says:

    God bless you, Father Z. I can’t conceive of the amount of virtue it takes to endure “airport world” as I like to call it as much as you have over the years. Enjoy your time in the Eternal City. Hopefully you will get to see The Great Roman.

  3. Semper Gumby says:

    Have a blessed stay in Rome Fr. Z.

    Too bad that angry passenger didn’t understand that you’re a benevolent member of the patriarchy, and that in fact your vocation is keeping Hell out of people’s way.

  4. byzantinesteve says:

    I assume you travel in your clerical which would be a deterrent from saying what you might *want* to say.

    I can tell you, however, I would not have gotten to the first letter of reciting the alphabet before I responded with something I’d have to confess later. I just have zero patience for bullies and rude people and it’s just wired into my brain that I can never pass on an opportunity where I could teach them a lesson.

  5. Suburbanbanshee says:

    Semper Gumby! I think you have invented a new T-shirt!

    Confessors:

    Keeping the Hell out of Your Way

    Since AD 33

  6. Andreas says:

    I know what you mean, byzantinesteve. To stem such similar urges, I try as a rule to ignore such vulgarians. Still, when I feel the need to respond in a less-than-civilized manner, I often do so in a language which I hope (pray) they do not understand. It usually works, but there is a risk they will indeed respond in kind. Of course, one could always loudly proclaim to all within hearing something akin to, “Josephine…I haven’t seen you since you were arrested at the pro-life march…” or something to that effect. Keeping a straight face while doing so would, however, be required; not be an easy task under such circumstances.

  7. aquinasadmirer says:

    That sounds like good advice from Octavian. I wonder if he had the melody in his time, whether he’d recommend singing it?

    …I’m now wondering: “what the effect would be of singing it aloud ?”

  8. AureEntuluva says:

    I am eagerly awaiting some photos and descriptions of delicious Roman food from your trip, Father.

    On the subject of travel: recently I’ve been on several trips away to see my sister play college softball. The drive here to there is around 5 hours and can be even longer. This can be quite draining. So your travel ability is admirable, Father. Although modern technology, speed of travel, and the ability to enjoy a drink in the Member Lounge must be comfortable in comparison with a French-Canadian missionary priest paddling down rivers alone in the wilderness enduring the elements.

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