It’s hard to believe that last Sunday was the 15th anniversary of the September 11th terrorist attacks. Like most of you, I remember exactly where I was and what I was doing when I heard the news of what was taking place. I remember the uncertainty of what would happen next, and the many questions that were racing through all of our minds.
Over the coming days, weeks, and even years, we heard the tragic news of lives lost, families destroyed, and spirits broken. To this day, we still feel the effects of what happened. There are still people grieving and suffering fifteen years later. Yet, as we watched the news unfolding following that senseless violence, we began to see signs of hope emerging.
There were stories of people rushing up flights of stairs and doing everything they could to get people to safety. There were first responders performing heroic acts to save lives. There were people from all over the world responding by giving whatever resources they could that would help in the moment. We saw people coming together and putting aside all differences to respond to the immediate needs.
What has stuck with me so strongly for the past fifteen years is the strength and resiliency of the human spirit. In a moment where it would have been easy to give in to the evil of the world, we instead were brought closer together than ever before. We went out of our way to provide for others and give whatever we could. We were selfless in our actions and intentional about showing kindness and respect to one another. In the end, we saw hope begin to emerge from the ashes. We learned that no matter how much destruction is done, there is always hope. As St. Paul reminds us in Romans 5, “Hope does not disappoint us.”
Dear God, we give You thanks for the peace You offer to us that passes all understanding. We still do not understand the senseless violence that took place fifteen years ago, but we ask that You would continue to provide comfort for those who are still grieving. Fill us with the hope that comes only from You. No matter what kind of damage and destruction we face in our own lives, remind us that You are the one who has conquered death and help us put our trust in You. Amen.
