September 11, 2010
Saturday of the Twenty-third Week in Ordinary Time
The cup of blessing that we bless, is it not a participation in the blood of Christ? The bread that we break, is it not a participation in the body of Christ? Because the loaf of bread is one, we, though many, are one body, for we all partake of the one loaf. 1 Corinthians 10:16-17
How can I repay the LORD for all the good done for me? Psalm 116:12
I will show you what someone is like who comes to me, listens to my words, and acts on them. That one is like a person building a house, who dug deeply and laid the foundation on rock; when the flood came, the river burst against that house but could not shake it because it had been well built. Luke 6:47-48
Piety
Father, as we pray, we often lift up our eyes to you in praise and worship. Today, as we recall the terrible events of this date nine years ago, send us the Holy Spirit to remind us that we are a people united by your love and the sacrifice of your Son, our Lord Jesus Christ. Help us to always be a people who look up to you in hope, never in fear and never in hatred for anyone who is created in your image and likeness. Amen.
Study
November 11, 1918. December 7, 1941. August 6, 1945.
November 22, 1963. January 28, 1986. September 11, 2001.
Dates. Every generation has its dates with history – dates upon which everyone who was alive and older than age 5 can tell you exactly where they were when they got certain news. These shared experiences unify generations and citizens. Depending on your age, you can probably instantly identify what happened on the historical dates listed above. These share experiences also united us in other ways.
Nine years ago, following the attacks and the national response, people also flocked back to their church or a church. The fear of the unknown and the piety for those who paid the ultimate sacrifice on that fateful day united us not only in national spirit but also in religious devotion.
Some of us endured a funeral or several funerals for loved ones killed in the planes or on the ground. Others suffered from injuries. Others survived and wondered why they were able to get out of the Twin Towers or the Pentagon while friends were not.
Union also is the theme of today’s Good News. Communion with Christ is exclusive and goes above and beyond any other such communion. But the union alone is not what marks us as a people. We are marked by what we do and how we act because of that union and because of that love. As St. Paul notes in the First Reading from his letter to the Corinthians, we are known by the quality of our deeds if we are followers of Christ.
Action
The unity of September 11, 2001 has faded into history for some. Today, our country is torn apart by issues and actions like how to end the wars, where to build mosques, whether or not to burn Korans, and the fear of the unknown enemies lurking around every corner. However, the unity of our faith is not built upon fear and division. It is a religion built upon the rocks of faith, hope and charity.
One of my enduring memories of 2001 is a song which reflects the hope of tomorrow. The song “Looking Up (Three Days in September)” by Cletus Kennelly was written on September 13 and the lyrics recall the days after 9/11 when the skies were empty. However, life returned to normal and the skies were once again filled with the planes that were grounded after the attacks. Even though the skies were empty, we kept “looking up.” Even though we were stumbling in the darkness, our faith kept us “looking up.”
Today, as we recall those killed and injured in the attacks and in the wars which followed, let us also remember the enduring faith that is our communion in Christ, a faith that keeps us “looking up.”
What are you planning to do today to commemorate the memories of those who died on this date? The Psalm suggests a strong theme of thanksgiving for the blessings bestowed upon us by the communion cup and communion bread. How can we repay the Lord for our blessings today as we remember those who have been called into full communion with Jesus in heaven?
