St Paul and Benedict's advice for driver safety

This evening we heard a reading the pope's noon-time Angelus message from today during our evening prayer liturgy. This is a practice that the Gesù Maestro Community has been following during this academic year. Pope Benedict gives a wonderful explanation of the parable of the talents, and helps us reflect on what Jesus encourages us to assume as our attitudes. The parable teaches us that there is no room for fear in accepting the Lord's call and the Lord's gifts, according to the pope.

That is an outstanding message, really.

But I was also struck by what the pope had to say after the Angelus prayer. He spoke about the tragedy of death on the highways of the world because of the incredible number traffic accidents. I had not realized that today marked the U.N. World Day of Remembrance for Road Traffic Victims. The pope is sensitive to these kinds of initiatives by the U.N. and other organizations, and he reminded the faithful in St Peter's Square at the noon prayer that it is important to remember "in a special way all of those who have died from car accidents."

Pope Benedict had words about the victims, but also important words for drivers. I quote him here:

Let us pray for their eternal repose and for the consolation of their families who are mourning their loss. Dear brothers and sisters, I implore everyone – drivers, passengers and pedestrians – to listen carefully to the words of St. Paul in today’s Liturgy of the Word: ‘Let us be awake and sober.’ Our behavior on the road, must be characterized by responsibility, attention and respect for others. May the Virgin Mary guide us securely along the roads and highways of the world.

What a great way to put it!

Funny, but I never thought that St Paul had anything to say to me when I am driving. Yet, when you really think about his story in the Acts of the Apostles, Paul’s own conversion to Christ happened after an incident on the road. So, in this year of St Paul, why not recognize that his words can be applied to our own journeys, on the road of life and on the highways of the world: be awake and sober! It certainly makes a lot of sense.

Thank you, U.N. for instituting this World Day of Remembrance for Road Traffic Victims. Thank you, Pope Benedict, for putting the day in perspective for Christians. Oh, and thank you St Paul! Wow, you thought of everything… well, almost!

[Photo by REUTERS/Max Rossi (VATICAN) 16 November 2008, captured from Yahoo News Photos]