The flight out of Midland was packed.
My carry-on was an over-the-shoulder Kluge garment bag. Since it incorporated a space to carry a suit, wrinkle-free, it was the only piece of luggage I would need for this trip. As I made my way through First Class, I couldn’t help but wish I was joining them. They looked so comfortable in their very roomy, extra-wide seats. I saw they had already been provided beverage service. The rest of us wouldn’t get that until we were half way to Dallas.
Continuing on, I placed a restraining hand on my bag. Wouldn’t do to accidentally smack one of the high-paying customers. Once I passed into the main cabin, where six of us would occupy about the same space as two in First Class, I kept my hand on my bag. Wouldn’t do for it to smack one of my own, either.
I made my way toward the back third of the plane. I liked being a “tailie,” preferring to be nearer the coffee and the restroom. Finding Row 26, I was pleased to see there was still space in the overhead. I slid the bag in with its new buddies and sat down.
As I settled into my aisle seat, I took a look at my row mates. In 26A, the window spot, I saw a petite, young woman. I’ve always felt a little squeezed in a window seat, but I could have handled it. The window adds a couple inches at shoulder height, right where I need it most. Problem was, they were almost as hard to snag as aisles. Next to me in 26B was a big guy like me. He looked miserable. Those centers were nightmares. Especially for us big folk.
Despite the extra few inches of shoulder room I would enjoy sitting on the aisle, I knew I would still be crowded. And don’t get me started on those flyers who feel the need to crank their seats all the way back. I tended to be a bit stoic about air travel. It didn’t spark joy, but I’d get through it. So, I settled in and awaited my usual mid-flight beverage—coffee, black.
And that’s when everything changed.
I became aware of someone in the aisle to my right. When I looked, I found myself looking into the eyes of a friend. I had known Tom for a couple years, and had, in fact, spoken to him just a few minutes earlier. Tom was an airline agent. He had taken my ticket as I passed into the jet bridge on my way to board this very flight. Still, I was puzzled to find him next to me. Why was Tom here? Why was Tom in the aisle on my flight to Dallas?
With a twinkle in his eye, Tom said, “Mr. Orr, I am so sorry. There was a mix-up with your ticket. You’re supposed to be in First Class. If you could retrieve your bag and follow me, we will get this cleared up right now.”
OK, I’ll admit I didn’t quite know what was going on. But I knew Tom, and I had definitely heard him say “First Class.” So, I did as I was told and got my bag from the overhead. But before I could take a step, Tom took the bag from me and walked back up the aisle. When we arrived in First Class, Tom indicated an empty aisle seat on my left. He handed my bag to a flight attendant who whisked it to that little closet we all pass when we first enter the plane. Tom looked down at me and said, “Enjoy your flight, Mr. Orr.”
As I watched Tom walk off the plane, a flight attendant asked me if I would like a beverage. Still a little stunned, I mumbled, “Coffee.” Shortly, she was back with a small tray holding a ceramic coffee cup, a silver creamer, a silver sugar bowl, and a silver spoon. As she moved these items to my own tray, she apologetically explained that she would need to collect them soon, because we were about to taxi. But she assured me she would bring me a fresh cup as soon as we were airborne.
Luxuriating in the broad, leather seat, I wondered if this was how royalty felt. Then, in honor of the occasion, I added a little cream to my coffee.
I can’t be certain, of course, but I imagine some of those attending the meal in this week’s Luke passage might have felt as I did on my very first First Class experience. It felt amazing to be invited to join those who were already sitting in the best seats. I felt special and, well, elevated.
The reverse would have been humiliating.
Jesus warns us against positioning ourselves in the places of honor. It’s the same in this week’s Proverbs passage. An honor is something someone bestows upon us, not something we take for ourselves.
Jesus then neatly pivots the lesson from one of positional power to a lesson about what God desires of us: More important than where we sit at the banquet is whom we invite to it. God doesn’t really care where we sit. God doesn’t care about our power games at all. What God wants is for us to open our eyes and see the real needs of the real people all around us.
That’s the real First Class experience.
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PHOTO:
Join us Friday morning at Our Breakfast Place or on Zoom** for DaySpring’s Lectionary Breakfast. The hour starts at 8:00 and is comfortably packed with Bible discussion, Breakfast, Prayer, and fellowship. We would love for you to join us.
Blessings,
Steve
**Contact me for the Zoom link
NOTE: Zoom allows you to mute the camera and microphone if you don’t wish to be seen or heard.
SCRIPTURES FOR SUNDAY AND THE COMING WEEK
Find them here:
https://lectionary.library.vanderbilt.edu/texts.php?id=277
Print them here:
Jeremiah 2:4-13
Psalm 81:1, 10-16
Proverbs 25:6-7
Psalm 112
Hebrews 13:1-8, 15-16
Luke 14:1, 7-14
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