“Let’s Roll!” proclaimed Todd Beamer, as he hung up the phone with the air traffic controllers. The passengers had just devised a plan to try and take the United Flight 93 back from the hijackers on 9/11. After Todd said the Lord’s prayer with the air traffic controller, the passengers on the flight, who did not know each other, worked together to regain control of the plane. They became one with a common focus and goal for the greater good. They did not succeed.
However, they did prevent the plane from landing in Washington DC, which is was the hijackers intended destination. By diverting the plane to an empty field in PA, the passengers helped to protect the Capital and other sites in DC. The passengers were focused on what they could do for the greater good.
Our Sunday text reminds us that to be a follower of Jesus Christ, we are called not just to focus on our own survival, but instead to be the church and focus on God’s mission to bring God’s kingdom to earth. Each time we pray the Lord’s prayer, we ask for that to happen. We say, “Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done.”
May the church, hear Christ’s command to roll and to be the church focused on our neighbor and bringing God’s love, grace and mercy to all.
If you have a prayer request, please email pastor@stmatthews-elca.org, so we can journey with you.