Wednesday 17 September 2008

273 years ago today, three passengers completed a safe flight. There were no problems with check-in, they had no need of identity papers or passports; and no baggage was left behind in Terminal Five or elsewhere. The passengers were a sheep, a duck and a chicken. Their flight took them to a height of 1700 ft over the forest of Vaucrasson, and they descended 8 minutes later. The Montgolfier brothers, inventors behind the balloon which had carried them aloft, pronounced the experiment a great success and went on to perfect the hot air balloon. According to all reports, the three passengers were entirely unharmed by the experience.

But how do we know- that's the question? Could anyone ask them how they felt? Did anyone sit them down and ask them to recount this strange, and maybe traumatic experience? If it happened today, there would doubtless be a team of vets standing by to offer the poor creatures counselling!

Of course, they probably were absolutely fine. A bit of altitude sickness, perhaps - at least for two members of the party ... but nothing worse. The clue is in the word "probably" though. We don't know. All too often our actions are based on how we think others are feeling. Usually this is some version of our own response to a situation. If I can cope - I'm sure she can too. If I'm ok - then you probably are too. We may not say those foolish words "I know just how you feel", but we act as if it we did.

When Jesus was telling his stories and enacting his miracles, plenty of people thought they knew what was good for him. Some thought he should take his good works elsewhere. Some thought he should tone it all down a bit, and some even wanted him to run for king. In fact, he refused to do any of these things. Instead, he remained true to his own calling, and warned others about the dangers of judging either him or each other. "Before you take that speck out of someone else's eye", he said, "how about removing that great big plank from your own?"

Perhaps its best to admit that we don't really know how others are feeling But it doesn't stop us feeling for them. Compassion, concern, or even simple friendship rarely go amiss, so long as they are expressed in the right way.