Bishop Tobin on Staying Safe on Our Spiritual Journey

"If on occasion, you find yourself flying somewhere (presumably on a plane) you are no doubt very familiar with the safety instructions that are dutifully announced at the beginning of the flight. As you settle into your seat for the journey, the flight attendants begin by demonstrating how to fasten and release your seatbelt. They also talk about securing your luggage, the emergency lighting system along the floor, the proper use of oxygen masks, locating the exit doors - 'keeping in mind that the closest door might be behind you' - and the floatation devices under the seat - 'in the unlikely event of a water landing.'

"But a curious thing I've noticed is that while the attendants are conscientiously announcing the safety instructions, no one is paying attention to them. . . ."

In a recent commentary, Bishop Thomas J. Tobin, of the Diocese of Providence (RI), reflected on the parallel between "widespread disregard of the airline safety instructions" and our spiritual journey ("namely, that we often disregard the clear instructions Jesus has given us about travelling safely, spiritually") and on the importance of avoiding spiritual dangers, traveling safely, and arriving happily at our final destination (heaven).

To access Bishop Tobin's complete essay, please visit: 

The Imitation of Christ: Staying Safe While Travelling, Spiritually (18 FEB 21)