Reflection on 9/11

We should never forget 9/11. We should never forget what happened that day. The wound that was given to all that is normal and innocent in this world.
But in remembering, let us not keep the evil of that day in our hearts. Those that we call the heroes of 9/11 did not go into those towers to help others out of hatred or avenging what was done.
They went in there out of love and duty and honour, giving their lives for that of others. That is the legacy they left us, and that is what we will honor. Not the legacy of hatred that those that kill and destroy want to bequath us. We reject them. Like Satan we rebuke them. Vade retro Satana! But the legacy of the purest of love "Greater love has no one than this, that one lay down his life for his friends." that has been show on that day by so many, that is the legacy that we will hug to our hearts.

We should remember as Christians what we ought to pray to be able to do: forgive. Not because what was done to us is right, or good, or in any way justifiable. But because anger and hatred will hold our own souls captive. Forgiving those we love and those that love us is easy. Forgiving those that hate us is hard. We can not do it without God's help. But we must make the decision that we want to forgive, even if we feel we can not. The desire to forgive, asking God for the strength to be able to do so, is the beginning of opening our heart to His grace.

A reminder from today's readings:

From Sirach:
"Wrath and anger are hateful things,
yet the sinner hugs them tight.
The vengeful will suffer the LORD's vengeance,
for he remembers their sins in detail.
Forgive your neighbor's injustice;
then when you pray, your own sins will be forgiven."


From the Gospel of Matthew:
Peter approached Jesus and asked him,
"Lord, if my brother sins against me,
how often must I forgive?
As many as seven times?"
Jesus answered, "I say to you, not seven times but seventy-seven times.