9/11 Tribute

The world recently observed the 10th anniversary of “9/11” – that infamous day when the United States was suddenly and viciously attacked.  Thousands of people lost their lives at the World Trade Center in New York City, at the Pentagon in N. Virginia, and in Somerset County, PA, near Shanksville.  Many more have died, and continue to die, in the wars that followed.

On 9/11/11 we paused to look back and remember the horror and the heroism.  We held before God all who died on 9/11/01, and those who live yet suffer still – the injured, the traumatized, and the grieving around the world.  And we peered into the hazy future, wondering with trepidation about what might lie ahead.

All this is quite natural.  But we must not invest too much energy in either the past or the future.  For the most pressing question on the 10th anniversary of 9/11 is this:  What kind of people do we choose to be... NOW?

I often resist this kind of question!  I’m easily mired in my past – reminiscing about (and even idealizing) the good, while obsessing about (and being haunted by) the bad.  Likewise, I’m easily absorbed in speculation about possible futures – hoping or worrying about what might or might not unfold.  What I've discovered is this:  while learning from the past and planning for the future is a good thing, when I’m captured by the past or the future (or both), I get terribly stuck.

I’m not alone.  Consider the United States Congress.  Our economy is reeling.  There’s a lot of energy – for looking back and casting blame on who’s responsible for bringing us to this place.  There’s a lot of energy – for looking ahead and plotting the next re-election campaign.  But there’s very little energy for the hard work of collaboration and getting something useful done NOW.  Snagged by the past and seduced by the future, Congress is terribly stuck.  Nothing is accomplished.  And all suffer.

Are we surprised?  Look at ourselves.  How many of us are harboring a hurt or a resentment or a shame – right now?  It may be something that happened this past week, or 10 years ago.  It happened.  And it cannot be changed or erased.  But we’re still stuck in the pain.  And how many of us are anxious – right now – about what may happen next week, or 10 years from now?  It hasn’t happened yet.  It may never happen.  Yet the fear paralyzes and demoralizes us.

In the midst of all this, Jesus calls us.

• But Jesus does not call us in our past:  “No one who puts his hand to the plow and looks back,” he said, “Is fit for service in the kingdom of God.”
• Nor does Jesus call us in our future:  “Do not worry about tomorrow,” he said, “For tomorrow will worry about itself.”

Jesus always calls us in the present moment.  Because NOW is the only place we live, and will ever live.

If we think about it, it’s so obvious.  If we want to have a relationship with God, it can only be experienced in this moment.  If we want to forgive, or feel forgiven, we can only give/receive that grace now.  If we want to love a friend, a neighbor, a stranger, or even an enemy, we can only do so in the present.

Who gives us the courage to get unstuck and live in the present?  The living God who is with us now.

Consider Abraham and Sarah.  God promised them that they would bring a child into the world, and that their descendants would become more numerous than the stars in the sky.  Moreover, this wouldn’t be just a private gift for two.  Through Abraham and Sarah, God would bless the whole world!

We admire Abraham and Sarah to this day because they didn’t remain stuck grieving their childless past, or dreading the prospect of a childless future.  They said "yes" to God in the present, as improbable as it must have seemed at the time.  And the blessing flowed.

Jews, Christians, and Muslims are all descendants of Abraham and Sarah, and heirs of this same blessing – right NOW.

Blessing takes countless shapes.  Consider this photograph that recently appeared on the front page of our local newspaper.   They say a picture speaks a thousand words.  What does this picture say?

On the left is Basel, a Muslim born in Kuwait of Palestinian parents.  He now lives near Cincinnati.  On the right is Niya, age 3, who is a member of a family in need of shelter.  These two met in a local church as participants in the Interfaith Hospitality Network.  So, this picture speaks of a Muslim man playing a game with a homeless child in a Christian church.

This is wonderful.  But through the eyes of faith, one can see much more.  One sees God’s people:

• collaborating to ensure that all are welcomed and all are fed.
• laboring together to provide a safe and dignified place for people to shower, to play, to sleep. 
• freely giving and receiving, enjoying one another's company. 
• setting aside differences – age, race, religion, community – to make a difference.

In short, this photograph is a snapshot of God’s blessing upon Abraham and Sarah as it continues to pour into this world today!

All people of good will want to honor the memory of 9/11.  We do so by saying no to violence, hatred, indifference, revenge, selfishness, despair, and all the powers of darkness.  We do so by saying yes to compassion, cooperation, forgiveness, joy, love, hope, and all the powers of light. 

This is never easy to do in a world that is so often chaotic and perilous.  But our chances are greatly improved if we're not stuck in grief or dread!

Make a 9/11 tribute.  
Pass on a blessing today.  

+ + + + +

Now the silence

Now the peace

Now the empty hands uplifted

Now the kneeling

Now the plea

Now the Father's arms in welcome

Now the hearing

Now the power

Now the vessel brimmed for pouring

Now the Body

Now the Blood

Now the joyful celebration

Now the wedding

Now the songs

Now the heart forgiven leaping

Now the Spirit's visitation

Now the Son's epiphany

Now the Father's blessing

Now

Now

Now

Hymn 333 (The Hymnal 1982)

Words:  Jaroslav J. Vajda

Music:  Now, Carl Flentge Schalk