Some folks were afloat in a hot air balloon, touring the countryside hundreds of feet about the ground. They ooohhed and ahhhhed and were having a swell time. Cars appeared to be toys, humans looked like tiny figures, Introductions were done informally and one of the passengers happened to be a priest. Unfortunately the young lad in charge of the balloon didn’t instill confidence in the paying customers.
The balloon suddenly lost elevation. The problem could have been a faulty burner, or an unexpected gust of wind. The captain of this ship panics and he appears to no idea what to do, but all is well within a few seconds. Nonetheless everyone’s anxious and agitated. One of the passengers blurts out to the priest, “Do something religious!” “Should I take up an offering?” father says.
I love that silly punch line. Everyone in church laughed when I told this story. Do something religious. Do what? Pray? Cry aloud for God’s help? Bless or curse the fickle burner? Hey, why not pass the offering plate?
On Friday, as I was leaving my office, a lady in the handicapped parking spot opened her door and shouted, “Can you fix my car, it won’t start.” My immediate response in my head was that I’m no mechanic. Do something religious, humbly meant to ask what was the problem. She said her steering wheel wouldn’t turn when she tried to turn the ignition key. I got inside her car, inserted the key, and jiggled her steering wheel and the car turned on immediately. She was delighted and gave me thumbs up as she got inside her car and drove away. Do something religious might simply mean to jiggle your neighbor’s steering wheel.
Today, as we celebrate the feast of All Saints, I will offer Mass for the 500 names that were emailed to my attention. Do something religious means to pray for these special family members and friends. It meant getting up at 5 in the morning to cut and paste your email and more important to remember in thanksgiving the spirit and faith of these important people you wished to be remembered with God’s care and eternal love.
Do something religious, might be to give a special tour of your new floral shop to a lady physically challenged in her wheelchair. Or, the friend who comes to clean your furnace for the winter, or the neighbor who borrows their sander. It is the friend who flies back from a Denver hospital with her best friend diagnosed with cancer. It’s the person who drives you to your doctor’s appointment or the therapist who tells you not to lose hope in your new job search. It’s the farmer who finds the cap and puts it on his neighbor’s water well or the builder who goes beyond the call of duty and builds a masterpiece.
Do something religious. Say the rosary? Make a novena? Volunteer at the homeless shelter? Or, when the treat or treaters come to your door in the snow, you offer a treat to the parents with a warm cup of cocoa.
Jesus watches over us as we reflect: “He guides the humble in what is right and teaches them his way.” Psalm 25: 9.
Lord, I promise to pray for all my Sonshine Friends who daily do something religious by offering their time and gifts to those in need to bring your joy, peace and love.
