On January 23, 1909, a small invention played a crucial role in the lives of 1500 people. The New York-bound ocean liner the "Florida" rammed into the "Republic." Jack Binns, the Republic's new wireless radio man, reassembled his contraption which had been destroyed in the collision. He sent out distress calls for the next 12 hours until the crew and passengers were rescued in the dawn light of Sunday morning. Only a few died.

Jack Binns became a national hero. He was given a ticker tape parade. Songs were written about him. He even testified before congress on the importance of regulating wireless technology on all ships. Congress listened politely but ignored his message. Binn gave up his quest, accepted no profit from his celebrity, and went back home to England to await reassignment. Three years later he received an assignment aboard a ship that he turned down. He had fallen in love and was soon to marry. The turned down assignment? The Titanic.

It is now felt that Binn's message was ignored because so few lives were lost on the Republic. It took tragedy on the scale of the Titanic for the importance of wireless to be understood.

Why are we like this? We ignore wisdom to our own peril. I wonder what would have happened to Mary had she ignored the message told her. We shall never know. We learn in our lesson that she did not turn a deaf ear. She believed (Lk 1:45) what she had been told and as a result she is called blessed.

Extra note to the above illustration: You might want to compare the excerpt from the song Jack Binns (1909) to the song of Mary. This illustration was drawn form a documentary about wireless technology aired on PBS. Here is the opening of that song:

There's a hole in the side of the ship "Jack Binns,"
The Captain above him cried;
Give a message at once to the wandering winds,
"Aye, aye, sir, Jack Binns replied.

The Captain was brave, but braver was he
Who sat in his room with his hand on the key
And steadily sounded his CQD
To people somewhere outside.

The nations are coming, to help us distressed,
They've answered my call from the east and the west,
And cutter and liner are doing their best
The couriers of death to outride.

Jack Binns, Jack Binns,
Bravest of all the crew;
Jack Binns, Jack Binns,
the world loves and honors you.

Note: Composed by Mrs.W. B. Bull, Published by A.W. Perry & Sons' Music Company.

The entire song can be viewed here: http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/amex/rescue/sfeature/song_text.html