Unity at Lambert Airport

Airports are not generally known to evoke “first-class” feelings.

The rush, long lines, rudeness and disrespect bring about the worst of humanity.

For example, in 2002, according to an ACLU report, a woman filed a lawsuit on behalf of an American Muslim student who was singled out and strip-searched at Chicago’s O’Hare International Airport because of her ethnic background.

The suit was the first in more than 100 cases pending, regarding airport discrimination based on religion or race.

In a post-9/11 America, airports seem to be the last place for tolerance.

However, beyond discrimination, our fears of terrorism, and the inconvenience of air travel, there is still hope.

Hidden in the corner between baggage claim and arrivals of St. Louis Lambert International Airport, there is a place that might inspire more unity than a “COEXIST” bumper sticker: the airport chapel.

At the entrance of the chapel, there is a sign that reads, “Please respect the presence of the Lord.” However, the “Lord” the sign refers to encompasses not only a Catholic or Protestant Lord, but also a Lord for all humanity.

The chapel, which is non-denominational, holds services for Catholics, Protestants, Muslims, Jews and anyone who needs moments of peace and spirituality.

A chaplain comes in at different hours, and from a closet, takes out the different religious items needed for the service at the time. The chapel is run by the St. Louis Airport Interfaith Chaplaincy, founded as a not-for-profit corporation in 1985 and holds the slogan, “Ministering to a community of people on the move and those who move them.”

“Even if people just come in and pray, they are asking God to protect them in their travels, or thank God when they come back,” said Deacon Joseph W. Sulze, who comes in once a week to lead the Catholic liturgy.

However, the chapel’s true mission might be underestimated.

Few places in America, much less the world, exist where people from various faiths can gather together to worship their God in peace and respect.

The chapel, open 24 hours a day, has a shelf with religious paraphernalia for everyone. On top there are crucifixes, holy water and Christian bulletins.

On the bottom shelf is an array of Bibles, the Torah and the Koran; and at the bottom, praying mats for Muslims.

It is a shelf that seems to have come from Abraham himself.

This chapel might be the ultimate bridge between all of Abraham’s offspring, who in the world are constantly struggling in a blood-spattered war over whose God is “the right One.”

“Understand, then, that those who believe are children of Abraham,” Galatians 3:7, NIV.

In this place, however, God is everyone’s.

Monday through Friday at noon a Catholic service is held, Sundays at 10 a.m. is Protestants, and Jews and Muslims share it any time in between.

What those people worshiping their God might not know is that God is always there, talking through them in different languages and scriptures, but delivering the same message:

He is always there for you, wherever you go -- even through the check-in lane.