Homily on the Occasion of the Air Accident

at Reagan National Airport

Feast of the Presentation of the Lord, February 1 & 2, 2025

Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Church

Arlington, Virginia

Fr. Frederick Edlefsen

I would like to extend words of consolation and hope to everyone this evening, as we celebrate the Feast of the Presentation of Christ in the Temple, which takes place every February 2nd, forty days after Christmas.    This feast, also known as Candlemass, reminds us that Christ is the Light of world.  Christ’s light shines the Father’s goodness upon all of us, especially in times like this when so many are grieving the loss of a loved one – and for some people, grieving the loss of several loved ones, friends and colleagues.  Given that Reagan Airport is in our parish boundaries, I would like to speak to that occasion. 

Let us pray for the repose of the souls of all passengers and crew who lost their lives on American #5342 from Wichita and for the three Army soldiers who lost their lives in the helicopter.  May our prayers at Mass this evening console them as they prepare to encounter, in a most intimate way, the Mercy, Love, and Beauty of God himself – the Good God who never abandons his children. 

To all families, loved ones, and colleagues of the deceased, please allow us – with your permission - to share in your grief and accompany you with our prayers.  Beneath grief is a consolation and a peace that may not be perceived at this time.   But it’s there in a hidden way, to be revealed at God’s appointed time. 

I would also like to extend a word of hope and consolation to all personnel at American Airlines.  I'm sure that an incident like this affects each one of you, even colleagues whom you may not personally know, due to your professional ties and common mission to provide safe and enjoyable travel for millions of people all over the country and the world.  

Likewise, I extend words of hope and consolation to all members of the U.S. Army, who tirelessly work to protect our country and promote peace.  The loss of your fellow soldiers is always felt by every soldier.  May you find peace and hope in God’s goodness. 

I would also like to extend words of gratitude to all personnel at Reagan National Airport, and to the first responders and all involved in the recovery effort, for your professional, compassionate, and courageous response to the accident.  Likewise, law enforcement from Arlington County and Washington DC were quick, professional, and compassionate in their response. Moreover, so many other people were present, like grief counsellors, to be there for the grieving loved ones that evening and into the early morning hours.

When you went to work that day, you did not know what you would have to confront that evening.  As we all process this, which takes time, the gentle whisper of God's healing peace is working beneath the surface of things, like an underground stream, bringing all things – even life’s tragic events – to a resolution.  God’s Providence weaves everything unto the Good.

To all residents of Arlington County, Alexandria, Washington D.C., and our entire region, this affects all of us, as Reagan Airport is an integral part of our community.  We encounter travelers and airline personnel daily.  Whether they live here or not, they are part of our community.   May our prayers console and accompany everyone who either lives in our area or just passes through. 

Also, we pray for the people of Wichita, Kansas, who are grieving the loss of loved ones and community members, especially after hosting a joyful figure skating event, which so many people local to our area were participating in.

Also, I would be remiss if I did not extend a word of gratitude to Mr. Joe Mazel, a parishioner of Our Lady of Lourdes, member of the Knights Columbus, and Scout Master of Troop 164.  He accompanied me to the airport that evening to be present to the grieving victims, and to the airport, airline, law enforcement personnel and grief counsellors who were there.  I owe a debt of gratitude to him for his support and guidance which allowed me to be present with the grieving. 

Like Mr. Mazel, I am sure there were countless others who were working behind the scenes to console the grieving and respond to the accident in a professional way. 

  Finally, I would like to say word about grief itself.  An experience, like last Wednesday's accident, is something that changes us. Grief does not go away.  But it does change and mature with both time and grace.  Time is an important friend in the journey through grief.  Time is more important than words. Time is a channel through which God’s grace passes.  In time, grief permits more and more consolation, and it can distill into wisdom.   Though it may not seem this way now, grief can make Heaven more intimate.  Over time, grief can teach us the arts of compassion and hope.  In other words, all is not lost, not even in tragic events like this one.

As I mentioned earlier, this Feast of the Presentation is also known as Candlemass, which is why I blessed the candles near the Altar at the beginning of Mass. The candles represent Christ who, as we heard in the Gospel, was announced by the old man Simeon as the Light to all the peoples.  The old man Simeon said that, because he laid his eyes on Jesus –the Light to all the peoples— he may now go in peace. 

May these candles at the Altar also remind us of the deceased, who now share in the goodness and mercy of the Divine Light.  May this Feast Day remind us that sorrow and grief are not the last word.   The last Word is Jesus Christ.

On this occasion, may we place all our grief and tears in this Light.  As we look upon these candles at the Altar, may we now – in the words of the old man Simeon – go in peace.   

Blessings to everyone.