Communicating on the Roadways of Stockton

Aug 21, 2009 by Fr Luke Palumbis

Pulling out of the rear entrance of the Saint Basil Campus yesterday, I was heading to a local gas station about 1.5 miles away to meet a gentleman in need of assistance.  Just a block or two into my drive, I pulled forward a bit, checking the traffic before making a right-hand turn at a light.  While waiting for a slow moving, on-coming car, its driver, a female in her 20’s, slowed down even more, straining to look at me, made eye-contact—then proceed to extend her right arm and provide me with a less than inviting visual sign involving her middle finger!  Initially taken back, I laughed a bit, then was disappointed.  I said a brief prayer for her, and continued on my drive to the gas station.

I was driving directly behind my admirer, who happened to be going in the same direction.  She was obviously scared to see my car following behind her, as she repeatedly tried to speed ahead—only to be stopped by the multiple stop signs on the roadway.  Eventually I turned into the gas station, and she waited in her car, watching from the street corner until I got out of my car—then she sped off hastily.

How unfortunate!  I hope that this person learned a few valuable lessons:
1)  You never know who you are dealing with; an act of disrespect and ignorance, such as she displayed, can turn dangerous if it was pointed at the wrong person.  I hope that her scared, erratic driving after the fact is a sign of her understanding this—and will perhaps lead to repentance.
2)  The way we interact with others, even a stranger on the roadway is a reflection of who you are—in turn impacting how you are perceived.  This is precisely the reason why I have referred to her as ‘a female,’ and not as ‘a lady.’
3)  Priests exists, and in America we wear identifiable clothing - the black shirt with the ‘Roman Collar,’ so that individuals may know who we are if they need assistance in some way.  Although the thousands-of-years-old tradition of offering respect to clergy is a dwindling tradition/experience, nonetheless, we are available for assistance if someone is need.  If she would have pulled into the gas station, the first thing I would have asked her is if she was having a bad day, and if I could help. ...that offer still stands if she is reading this blog.

This is a tremendous example for us all to be cognizant of the way we interact with others in all situations of life.  Remember ‘the golden rule,’ coming from the message of Scripture, “Do to others as you would have them do to you.’ (Luke 6:31)