August 24 2002

A short story about public prayer.... from Luigsech

Sometimes, public prayer is appropriate.

Some years ago, I was flying in one of those huge airliners, on my way to take a new job in Germany. I was in one of those banks of five across seats, up near the front of the section. About an hour from our arrival time, the sun was casting rosy glints into the sky ahead. Then I saw a gentleman in a turban come down the aisle, carrying what I gathered was a prayer rug.

He must have made some arrangement with the stewardess, because she smiled and nodded to him as he spread his rug at the end of the aisle. Quietly he knelt and made his obeisances. The movements of his hands and upper body were fluid and almost poetic. None of the other passengers spoke. When he was finished he silently rose, folded his rug, and turned to return to his seat.

A gentleman at the end of my row looked up and said "Amen!" They smiled at each other, and I saw many other passengers smiling too. It was a magic moment, a feeling of universal brotherhood and understanding. This world needs more of them.

Blessed Be!