Posted July 26, 2010
Albert Einstein, the great physicist was once honored by Time magazine as not just the Man of the Year, but also the Man of the Century. In that context, a very human incident in the life of such a luminary can be fascinating and if tinged with humor, the humor is enhanced by the very prestige of the person.
Einstein was once traveling from Princeton by train when the conductor came down the aisle, punching the tickets of every passenger. Einstein reached in his vest pocket to present his ticket to the conductor, but he couldn’t find his ticket, so he tried his trouser pockets, then his briefcase, but the ticket was nowhere to be found. He searched his seat and the seat next to him. Still no success. The conductor said, “Dr. Einstein, I know who you are. We all know who you are. I’m sure you didn’t sneak on without purchasing a ticket, so don’t worry about it.”
Einstein nodded appreciatively. The conductor continued down the aisle punching tickets. He glanced back and saw the renowned physicist down on his hands and knees searching under his seat for his ticket. The conductor rushed back and said, “Dr. Einstein, don’t worry; I’m sure you bought a ticket, since I know who you are.”.”
Einstein, with his face expressing sheer panic, exclaimed, “Young man, I too, know who I am. What I don’t know is where I’m going!”
Everyone knows that life is a journey, but an alarming number of travelers on this earth don’t know where they’re going, in terms of their eternal destination. Wherever it is, ultimately it will be drastically different from where they’re coming from, here in their earthly point of departure. When their life-journey reaches its end, absolutely everyone will be faced, ultimately, with a truly big surprise—either delightful or terrifying. And their destination will be their residence thereafter—forever, and ever and ever!
Check your ticket now, in all seriousness. Know your destination! Nothing is more critical for you and for each and every human being on this earth!
John H. Hampsch, cmf