The Third Man

Ron DiFrancesco was in the South Tower of the WTC when the airliner hit the floors above, generating a cascade of debris and knocking him into a wall. He climbed upward, hoping to be rescued from the roof, but was trapped by smoke and fire on the 91st floor.

Losing consciousness, DiFrancesco "heard a voice call him by his first name. 'The voice was insistent but encouraging. Somebody lifted me up. I was led to the stairs. I don't think somebody grabbed my hand, but I was definitely led.'"

Sarah Chalmers of the Daily Mail reports, "The benevolent helper guided him down the stairs, insisting he walk through fires - which he did, covering his face - to make his way down." He reached the exit and got out as the building collapsed. DiFrancesco awakened in a hospital to find that he was the last survivor.

**********************************************************************************

An avalanche swept James Sevigny away, killed his friend, and left him lying in bloodsoaked snow with a broken back, wrecked knees, internal bleeding and resigned to death. John Blake of CNN Living writes that Sevigny "felt someone behind him and heard a voice: 'No, you can't give up. You have to live.' It was like if I would sneak up to you and put my nose a quarter of an inch from your neck. It was that kind of physical sensation."

The voice was "warm and nurturing, and it gave practical advice: 'You have to get your jacket on. You have to get water.'" It told him to form his lost blood into the shape of arrows pointing his direction. Sevigny said, "I didn't question it. I didn't think about it. I did exactly what the voice said." The companion led him to safety.

**********************************************************************************

Extraordinary stories, but not uncommon. Years after his Antarctic trek with two others Ernest Shackleton reported he felt there were four of them - not three - and that the unseen presence guided them. It turned out the others had sensed the companion, too.

How does this happen? Scientists have stimulated epileptic brains to produce the sensation of a presence felt by the patient. They theorize that in extreme situations an "angel switch" is activated that creates this feeling. Others think it's a psychological coping mechanism that kicks in under stress. But neither explanation accounts for the comfort, support and specific instructions the companion provides.

Shackleton and DeFrancesco didn't need to explain it since both were Christians who attributed the "Third Man" to divine intervention.

Sevigny disdains religion, but his experience touched him so deeply he couldn't talk about it without crying for years. Sounds like an unresolved conflict between a brain trying to rationalize the experience into something it accomplished and a heart that knows God saved his life.

The name "Third Man" was inspired by the episode in which the risen Christ walks with two disciples without identifying himself. Is the Third Man Jesus, the Holy Spirit, an angel or just some physiological/psychological process?

Any thoughts? Has anyone had this experience or know someone who has?

Reader's feedback is welcomed! Click on "comments " below to let us know your thoughts. They may be sent anonymously.

To add or remove an address from the Finding Faith mailing list, which provides a link to the weekly post, please send an email to cwgalaska@triadpress.us