In 1912, the grandest ship to date sailed out on its maiden and final voyage. The Titanic sailed with 2,224 souls onboard, twenty lifeboats on deck. The lifeboats could hold maybe 1,178 people. Despite even these staggering facts, most lifeboats sailed with empty seats – many less than 25% full, leaving hundred on the decks of the Titanic with no hope of rescue.
The Titanic sank at about 2:20 AM, plunging those still aboard into icy 28 degree waters. The cried for help floated across the waters to the half empty lifeboats. Despite these calls for help, only two lifeboats went back to rescue those they could. 1,517 perished in the North Atlantic waters.
Today, the society and world we know has hit an iceberg. The ‘ship’ which is our world is floundering and sinking. Many are unprepared. Few rest safely in the lifeboat that is the One, Holy, Catholic and Apostolic Church. In the darkness around us, souls cry out for help. So many of those lost in the icy darkness don’t know from Whom their rescue will come. They wallow and slowly sink, their cries echoing over the waters. And, so many more, bereft of all hope, just wait to drown. No cried coming from their mouths. They just ‘know’ they are doomed. And, many more, sitting on debris left of the world, believe in their ignorance and pride that they are safe. They rest on the wreckage believing it to be treasures – holding on to what they found and have.
We are in those lifeboats. We are called by God Himself as apostles of mercy to go back into the wreckage to rescue those lost. The find those calling out to be saved and to draw them into the boat – that is the Catholic Church. We are called to go out to those who have lost all hope, shine our flashlight (faith) across the dark waters. We are called to seek in the edges of the icy depths for those souls too prideful, lost and even arrogant to realize they need to be saved.
Don’t believe there are lost out there? Look to the seats around you Sunday. Are there empty seats, rows and sections on the pews? If there are, get out and save someone.
This is my prayer every day – “Lord, I know You are coming soon. But, I beg you to push back your triumphant return until I find just one more soul.” Then, after pulling a rescued soul from the icy waters, I repeat my prayer – until every soul is rescued.