9/11/2001(-11)

Yesterday's ceremony in Shanksville, PA set the tone.

Today will be a somber day.

We as a nation and a world will relive the events of a Tuesday morning history will not forget.

We remember those who were the victims and share their grief.

We continue to struggle with how this has affected our lives, whether we want to admit it or not.

There are still many unanswered questions, most of them beginning with "Why".

Other people will write more eloquent words or have more elegant memorials than I. Do search for them. It will be worth your time.

How interesting it is two readings for this particular Sunday, the Twenty-Fourth in Ordinary Time in Lectionary Cycle A, stress forgiveness. Yes, while we still cry for justice, we also must show mercy. God does.

We still do not know "the peace which surpasses all understanding." There is a hole in the world the size of the footprints of where the Twin Towers stood, despite the reconstruction. There is an even larger hole in the heart of the world which seeks wholeness. It is a restlessness St. Augustine describes so well.

In some ways, we have moved on. In some ways, we are stuck. In some ways, we have regressed. Yet we know this world still groans under the weight of Original Sin. While Jesus Christ has redeemed humanity and the world by His Cross and Resurrection, we still must cooperate with God's Grace to see "a new heaven and a new earth" come forth, where there are no more divisions and even Death has been overcome.

So, let us continue to seek the face of God. Let us continue our own personal conversions so the world may eventually be converted. Let us continue down "the narrow way", the path which leads to life.

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As I suggested before, let us pray for the following:

1. The souls of all who died.
2. Those who still mourn.
3. Those who seek a just solution.
4. Forgiveness toward our enemies.
5. Our enemies (didn't Someone command us to do this?).
6. The courage to continue the fight.
7. Peace.