At first it was simply...
Illustration
At first it was simply known as Shuttle Mission 51-L. Then it became the shuttle flight with "the teacher" on it, the first really "ordinary" American to venture into space.
At 11:39 a.m. on February 4, 1986, it became a famous -- or infamous, if you prefer -- moment of history. As millions of students watched, before the very eyes of small children whose parents were on board, space shuttle Challenger exploded. Seven human beings were blown to bits with everyone watching, and no one could do anything.
The outpouring of pity was enormous. So many people were so emotionally involved. And no one could do anything.
Jesus saw the widow; he too, felt great pity. He, too, wanted to do something. And he did. He had power to do far more than all the millions watching the explosion of the space shuttle Challenger. He simply did what he was able to do.
We are expected to do no more, and no less. People die near us all the time. Loved ones -- grieving loved ones -- remain. No, we don't have power to raise the dead. But perhaps we can help raise the living. We are asked, and empowered, to do what we can. To feel pity, yes. And then to put love and concern into action.
He who raised the widow's son can raise you and me to be more than awed spectators as people's lives explode, or fall to pieces, all around us.
By his power let's do what we can. He did.
At 11:39 a.m. on February 4, 1986, it became a famous -- or infamous, if you prefer -- moment of history. As millions of students watched, before the very eyes of small children whose parents were on board, space shuttle Challenger exploded. Seven human beings were blown to bits with everyone watching, and no one could do anything.
The outpouring of pity was enormous. So many people were so emotionally involved. And no one could do anything.
Jesus saw the widow; he too, felt great pity. He, too, wanted to do something. And he did. He had power to do far more than all the millions watching the explosion of the space shuttle Challenger. He simply did what he was able to do.
We are expected to do no more, and no less. People die near us all the time. Loved ones -- grieving loved ones -- remain. No, we don't have power to raise the dead. But perhaps we can help raise the living. We are asked, and empowered, to do what we can. To feel pity, yes. And then to put love and concern into action.
He who raised the widow's son can raise you and me to be more than awed spectators as people's lives explode, or fall to pieces, all around us.
By his power let's do what we can. He did.
