From the UCC Network: 12/30/2011 "Acting Out on the Airplane"

Acting Out on the Airplane

Mark 3:33-35

"Jesus responded, 'Who do you think are my mother and brothers?'  Looking around, taking in everyone seated around him, he said, 'Right here, right in front of you—my mother and my brothers.  Obedience is thicker than blood.  The person who obeys God's will is my brother and sister and mother.'"

Reflection by Lillian Daniel 

Even before the flight took off, we knew who would be offering our in-flight entertainment. The man in the seat in front of me began by taking out a ballpoint pen, putting it into his mouth and then taking a dramatic inhale. "You probably all think that I am smoking," he announced. "But I want to assure you that this is not a real cigarette, it is actually a sophisticated medical device that I use instead of smoking."

"That's not a medical device," his seatmate muttered to her friend.  "It's just a pen."

Well, that set him off.  For the rest of the flight he was ranting, turning around in his seat to beat in time to the music on his headrest, lecturing the invisible politicians he believed were accompanying him on the plane ride, and spilling strong drinks.

Finally a flight attendant came and sat next to him, calming him with a cup of water, gentle words, listening skills and the kind of thoughtful diplomacy that we could really use in Congress these days. 

At the end of the flight, two police officers put the inebriated man in a wheelchair and whisked him away. As a student of human nature (another word for "nosy") I followed them to see what happened, as did another man who began to ask questions of the police.

"Do you know this guy?" they finally asked him.

You could see the man hesitate for just a minute before saying, "Yes, I work with him. We're going to the same meeting."

"Can you look after him?" they asked.

Again, another long pause, and then, "Yes, I can help get him to the hotel." 

Jesus said that our family members are not just the ones we share a family tree with, but he never said it would always be tidy and reciprocal. Tomorrow that guy may not even remember who rescued him and took care of him the night before.

So I want to make a note in his family tree: On one sad night, a hard-working flight attendant and an exhausted work colleague both claimed him as a brother, whether he remembers it or not.

Prayer

Gracious and accepting Jesus, give me patience with the other members of your family, and the love to consider them my own family as well. And for all the times I have been the sister or brother no one wanted to claim, thank you for your patience with me. Amen.

About the Author Lillian Daniel is the senior minister of the First Congregational Church, UCC, Glen Ellyn, Illinois. She is the author, with Martin Copenhaver, of This Odd and Wondrous Calling: the Public and Private Lives of Two Ministers.