Ten Years Later
Earlier today I got an e-mail from a clergy friend asking for prayers as she prepares to preach a sermon on the tenth anniversary of September 11th. I looked at the lectionary passages for this Sunday and realized why she asked for our prayers; the Gospel lesson comes from Matthew 18:21-35... the passage where Jesus tells his disciples to forgive people seventy-seven times and where he tells the parable of the indebted slaves. Growing up, I heard this story at nauseum usually during the context of childhood Sunday School classes telling us to forgive our siblings.
On September 11, 2001 I was in seventh grade at Jackson Prep, my first few weeks at a new school, and eight days before my thirteenth birthday. At the time I was consumed with the typical worries of a seventh grade girl; and words like hijacking, terrorism, and national security were not even in my vocabulary. The two emotions I remember feeling most strongly that day were grief, uncertainty, and anger. But after the events that clouded that beautiful September morning, the idea of forgiving the people who killed thousands of Americans was not even on my radar.
This week I have heard several discussions and panels about the religious community's response to 9-11. In every session, each group said they wish their tradition had stood up to the nation's cries for revenge, but they each grappled with how they could do this with sensitivity, dignity, and faith. To immediately say, "oh, hey Al Qaeda, we forgive you" would have been crazy, insincere, and irresponsible. But as I look back, I believe our nation's choice to attempt to wipe all terrorists from the face of the earth was just irresponsible. Ten years and two wars later, more Americans have died trying to avenge the death and destruction of 9-11 than of the actual attack. Too many families have been told that their loved one will not be coming home. Too many soldiers and veterans suffer the physical and emotional wounds inflicted by battle.
Ten years later, I believe it is the Church's duty to call for a new way. A way that is faithful to the teaching of Christ. A way that seeks justice and peace. But so many of us do not want to hear the message of Matthew 18, because it is hard to do. It is so much easier to go out and do unto others as they did unto us. Revenge and violence provide much easier and quicker means of satisfaction than reconciliation and forgiveness. But if we call ourselves followers of Christ, and believe in the power of his life and resurrection; we are called to resist the urge to choose revenge. We are commanded to love. We are commanded to forgive. We are commanded to bless the very people who despise us. God commands us to do things that are hard. They go against our human nature.
Ten years later, we have had time to grieve, reflect, and rebuild. We are in a new stage of our lives, our country is in a new chapter, and it is no longer healthy to hold on to the hatred, anger, and fear that have gripped us for the last ten years. We as members of the Christian Church must stand against our human instincts of hatred and anger. We need to be voices of healing, peace, and justice. Yes, this sounds like an impossible task, but when we as the children of God act to bring about God's kingdom on earth as it is in heaven then our lives and actions will be blessed. As John Wesley said, "And best of all, God is with us!"
On September 11, 2001 I was in seventh grade at Jackson Prep, my first few weeks at a new school, and eight days before my thirteenth birthday. At the time I was consumed with the typical worries of a seventh grade girl; and words like hijacking, terrorism, and national security were not even in my vocabulary. The two emotions I remember feeling most strongly that day were grief, uncertainty, and anger. But after the events that clouded that beautiful September morning, the idea of forgiving the people who killed thousands of Americans was not even on my radar.
This week I have heard several discussions and panels about the religious community's response to 9-11. In every session, each group said they wish their tradition had stood up to the nation's cries for revenge, but they each grappled with how they could do this with sensitivity, dignity, and faith. To immediately say, "oh, hey Al Qaeda, we forgive you" would have been crazy, insincere, and irresponsible. But as I look back, I believe our nation's choice to attempt to wipe all terrorists from the face of the earth was just irresponsible. Ten years and two wars later, more Americans have died trying to avenge the death and destruction of 9-11 than of the actual attack. Too many families have been told that their loved one will not be coming home. Too many soldiers and veterans suffer the physical and emotional wounds inflicted by battle.
Ten years later, I believe it is the Church's duty to call for a new way. A way that is faithful to the teaching of Christ. A way that seeks justice and peace. But so many of us do not want to hear the message of Matthew 18, because it is hard to do. It is so much easier to go out and do unto others as they did unto us. Revenge and violence provide much easier and quicker means of satisfaction than reconciliation and forgiveness. But if we call ourselves followers of Christ, and believe in the power of his life and resurrection; we are called to resist the urge to choose revenge. We are commanded to love. We are commanded to forgive. We are commanded to bless the very people who despise us. God commands us to do things that are hard. They go against our human nature.
Ten years later, we have had time to grieve, reflect, and rebuild. We are in a new stage of our lives, our country is in a new chapter, and it is no longer healthy to hold on to the hatred, anger, and fear that have gripped us for the last ten years. We as members of the Christian Church must stand against our human instincts of hatred and anger. We need to be voices of healing, peace, and justice. Yes, this sounds like an impossible task, but when we as the children of God act to bring about God's kingdom on earth as it is in heaven then our lives and actions will be blessed. As John Wesley said, "And best of all, God is with us!"
Comments
Post a Comment