Well, the road today was definitely not the one less traveled… Day 1 of our journey takes us to Somerset, PA where we are spending the night, before finishing the drive to Philadelphia tomorrow. There seemed to be a lot of traffic for a Sunday, which made for a long day considering we were up early for 7:30AM Mass prior to leaving Indy. We started the morning with an early, quiet, yet very spiritual Mass to send us on our way. And in a special blessing, my family and I were asked to carry the gifts to the alter for the Offertory during Mass… Knowing that this is going to be a special, yet busy week, starting the week in such a calm and blessed setting was a perfect way to begin this journey!
We chose to drive to Somerset as it is about 6 hours from home, which means we only have 4 hours to drive tomorrow. We’ve stayed here before when making this drive, so it’s a nice place to stop and split the trip up. But there is also a solemnness and almost sacredness about this exit – 25 minutes away is the Flight 93 Memorial. Our last time through we stopped and visited the memorial, however this time I’m not sure we will have the time. But the importance of this area is not lost on me. I had been thinking about it off and on all day.
As we approached the area, the rolling hills and ridges in the distance, the cloudless blue sky, it took me back 14 years. When I think about Flight 93, I don’t necessarily think about the bad men or the bad event that happened that September 11th, but rather, I think about how God worked through the people on that plane to do something good in a bad situation. A situation that could have led to the death and destruction of many others. The people on that plane fought back, they fought the evil that had surrounded them – and they won. People from different backgrounds and experiences, all dealing with different situations in their own lives – different challenges, dreams, and goals. They all worked together to for a common good. They worked together, like a team. They worked together like a family so other families could live.
This is why we do this. This is why we travel the road less traveled, sacrifice, and do the hard thing because we know that doing the hard thing is often the right thing. And I want myself and my family to do more of the right thing, even if it is the hard thing. Even if it might be the scary thing. Even if it means that we may need to sacrifice something in our lives or even our very life for the greater good of others. I want to not be afraid and do the right thing, if if that means I may get mocked or criticized by others. Many times we fail to do the right thing. I know I do. I want to teach our son how to be a helper, and be a man that embraces his faith, loves God, and seeks to do his will more often than not. I want to inspire my wife to be a better woman in Christ.
This is why we are making this journey. This is why we are attending this world congress on families and why we are coming to see Pope Francis. Because we aim to be people who do the right thing and we desire to let God show us how to be better through others – better as individuals, better as Christians, and better as Catholic families.
The passengers and crew of Flight 93 inspire me. The Catholic Church inspires me. Pope Francis inspires me. And I hope and pray that the events of this week inspire me and my family to be a better Christ-like family for this world, and inspire others to do the same.