Musings on 9-11

I think that most Americans get reflective on September 11th.  It was truly a day where the Holy Spirit had to intercede and pray for us for our cries were too deep for words.  It was a day of deep sorrow, but also a day of great compassion.  The firefighters and rescue workers risked their very lives to give compassion and comfort to the victims.  People all over the country gave of themselves to ease the suffering in New York and Washington.  I waited in a long line to give blood only to be turned away because they had run out of room to store it.

People made a point to check on friends and loved ones.  America crossed denominational and religious lines to all pray together.  In one of our darkest hours we all tried to be the people God created us to be.  People didn't identify themselves as Democrats or Republicans, but as Americans.  We didn't complain about partisan politics getting in the way of the relief effort, but we all asked, "What can I do?"

It's eleven years later and we are back to picking at each other and back biting.  Innocents are still dying in movie theater shootings and attacks on religious services.  Where is our unity?  Where is our compassion?  We sit here complaining about politics and what the politicians aren't doing, instead of asking, "What can I do?"

OK, I know, we are sinful, selfish human beings.  We get tired of being good all the time.  But today as we remember all who died on 9-11, let us also remember the glimpse of the kingdom that it gave us.  Remember the love and compassion that we had for our neighbors and even strangers.  Remember the sense of unity in the midst of our diversity.  Remember the desire to be a part of the solution instead of the problem.

Pray today that we can be the compassionate, giving, accepting, and loving people that we were in September of 2001.  We reflected Jesus that day.  It is closer to the people we were created to be.  Take cookies to your local fire fighters.  Give blood.  I personally bought more peanut butter for the food pantry.  We honor the fallen better when we "Love our neighbors as ourselves."

Peace!