The above picture is one of my favorite pictures of Jesus. To me, Jesus still weeps - at what has gone on our world. The evil that has has happened in our world is not in the plan of God, not in the design of God, not caused by God. But it is real nonetheless.Mountain of books and articles have tried to explain the existence of evil. Some even talk about free will. The wisest among them will at least concede that it is complicated. I will also concede that it is frustrating because I want God to protect everyone from being hurt - and this does not happen. Dp we sometimes feel as if "free will" is not always a good thing? I sometimes feel that "freedom of the press" is not always a good thing, even though I eventully come back to earth and appreciate not only this freedom but those who have died to protect all of our freedoms. The world is a complicated place. More so every single day.
9-11 is a simple historical fact, but it is among the most complicated of our hisorical truths. In the midst of all the complexity of causes, reasons, excused, exaggerations, and every other things which has been imposed unto 9-11. Even more important than the verbiage are the countless told and untold accounts of heroism, bravery, and love shown by so many twenty years ago.
Three members of our parish lost their lives on this day. At least 12 other parishioners lost siblings or close relatives. Every person knew someone or about someone who perished. The grief was shared by thousands of parishioners.
This morning (Sept. 10 as I'm writing this), I was surprised by how quickly the news reports about the first 9-11 immediately caused me and so many others to see that was happening again right now. Other than the death of President Kennedy, this is the only historical event where everyone remembers where they were and what they were doing. People called me and mentioned the same things.
Here are some of my lingering personal thoughts about 9-11:
I will always be skeptical of certain foreign countries, seemingly friends to the United States, regardless of what others say. These countries have co-opted some of our government and political leaders;
The existence of evil remains one of the easiest religious truths to teach. There can be no doubt of this.
9-11 reinforced for me the pride and respect that I have for members of our armed forces and first responders. I am so proud of those who fought for us in the name of our freedoms.
I find that I need to make conscious efforts not to have days such as 9-11 simply be routine. It can happen far too easily.
I find that a day like 9-11 is a fierce reminder to always cherish my friends and those I love. Life is sacred. Life is fragile. Life can end so suddenly.
I scrupulously spend at least an hour day praying for people. I include in this time praying for people whom I just cannot stand for various reasons. Sigh.
This 9-11 is another day of sadness, reminding us of so much. Pope Benedict XVI and Pope Francis prayed this prayer at Ground Zero. Pray it today - it joins you with all people of good will:
O God of love, compassion, and healing,
look on us, people of many different faiths
and traditions,
who gather today at this site,
the scene of incredible violence and pain.
We ask you in your goodness
to give eternal light and peace
to all who died here—
the heroic first-responders:
our fire fighters, police officers,
emergency service workers, and
Port Authority personnel,
along with all the innocent men and women
who were victims of this tragedy
simply because their work or service
brought them here on September 11, 2001.
We ask you, in your compassion
to bring healing to those
who, because of their presence here that day,
suffer from injuries and illness.
Heal, too, the pain of still-grieving families
and all who lost loved ones in this tragedy.
Give them strength to continue their lives
with courage and hope.
We are mindful as well
of those who suffered death, injury, and loss
on the same day at the Pentagon and in
Shanksville, Pennsylvania.
Our hearts are one with theirs
as our prayer embraces their pain and suffering.
God of peace, bring your peace to our violent world:
peace in the hearts of all men and women
and peace among the nations of the earth.
Turn to your way of love
those whose hearts and minds
are consumed with hatred.
God of understanding,
overwhelmed by the magnitude of this tragedy,
we seek your light and guidance
as we confront such terrible events.
Grant that those whose lives were spared
may live so that the lives lost here
may not have been lost in vain.
Comfort and console us,
strengthen us in hope,
and give us the wisdom and courage
to work tirelessly for a world
where true peace and love reign
among nations and in the hearts of all.
May God have mercy on these good souls.
