The Airport Chronicles – From Athens to Rome

Finally, we arrived at the eternal city, Rome! As I settle into my new room for the next four days I recall our previous day of travel from Athens International Airport to the Fiumicino airport in Italy. Oddly enough, life’s transitions are often like a journey through an airport—filled with bustling crowds, moments of waiting, moments of uncertainty, and glimpses of something greater on the horizon. The airport, in all its complexity, mirrors the journey of faith we each walk: at times we feel lost, at others we find ourselves at a threshold, preparing for something new. On this particular day, as we traveled from Athens to Rome, I am reminded of how each phase of the journey offers an opportunity to see Christ in the midst of our transitions.

Our time in the airport is not exactly the dramatic “shipwrecks and conversions” we’ve come to expect from the Apostle’s travels, but I think St. Paul himself would have been a fan of the occasional waiting time before boarding to reflect on his mission, grab a coffee, and maybe find a quiet corner to pray. As we gathered our belongings to board the plane, I couldn’t help but reflect on how much St. Paul’s own travels—especially by sea—were far more arduous and unpredictable than anything we could imagine today. While we just had to get through the routine of airport security (which, admittedly, sometimes feels like a mini-purgatory), St. Paul braved shipwrecks, hostile crowds, and long days on foot. Yet, through it all, he remained steadfast in his mission. If he could endure all of that, I suppose we can handle a few hours at the airport with a smile.

Then, as we crossed over the Ionian Sea, I thought to myself, “this is no simple crossing—it is symbolic of the crossing over that happens in all life transitions.” The sea, throughout Scripture, represents the unknown, the turbulent, and the place where faith is tested. It was across a stormy sea that the apostles experienced Christ walking toward them on the water (Matthew 14:22-33). It was also on the Mediterranean, during a tempestuous voyage, that St. Paul himself would face shipwreck before eventually reaching Rome (Acts 27). As we cross the waters, we are reminded of the uncertainty and fear that often accompany change. But like the disciples who saw Christ in the storm, we are called to recognize His presence with us in the midst of our own transitions. The storm may be fierce, and the path ahead unclear, but Christ walks with us. In the uncertainty, we are invited to surrender our fears and trust that He will bring us safely to our destination, just as He did for St. Paul.

As the plane descended into Rome, I thought of St. Paul, who, after his long and difficult journey, finally arrived in the Eternal City. Rome, a city of great power and influence, was not the place of comfort that one might expect for the apostle. Yet, it was here that Paul was to complete his mission—to preach the Gospel to both Jews and Gentiles, and to fulfill his role in God’s grand plan of salvation. For Paul, Rome was not just a physical destination, but a place of spiritual fulfillment—a place where his journey would culminate in the suffering and glory of Christ. Likewise, in our own transitions, we often long for a sense of arrival—a place where everything makes sense and our struggles come to an end. Yet, as we learn from St. Paul’s example, the true destination of our lives is not a physical place, but a spiritual one. Our transitions lead us to a deeper communion with Christ, where we experience His presence in both the mundane and the extraordinary. The real pilgrimage is the one we make in our hearts, as we allow Christ to lead us through every change, every challenge, and every step of the way.

So, while this day was not filled with dramatic moments of conversion or shipwrecks, it was still a day of significant spiritual transition. As we travel through airports, through cities, and through life’s transitions, whether in the bustling crowds or the stillness of waiting, may we always remember that Christ is with us—guiding us towards our eternal home.

Please continue to keep us in your prayers as we now embark on the next part of this pilgrimage. St. Paul, pray for us!

-Daniel Ivan Sanchez, Diocese of Yakima