Loving God, we gather today to recall the events of September 11. We lift up to you all those people affected by 9/11 – those who died in the attacks, those who responded, those who now fight in wars as a result of that dark day, those we know who were personally impacted, and all those who still mourn the loss of loved ones.
We lift up our prayers and our concerns and our desire to bring your love to a broken world. Send your Holy Spirit among us now, O God, to open our hearts and minds to your presence. We know you are a God of life, not death; you are a God of mercy, not vengeance. Lead us into holy actions that will glorify you and honor those who died.
Reflections from Mr. Mule`
We gathered at church on Friday for a very special reason. Ten years ago, an event happened that we call 9/ll or September 11th. On that day, many people were killed in three areas – New York, Virginia and Pennsylvania. People all over the world were saddened that day because of all the death and destruction that occurred. In this prayer service, we remember all those who died in the attacks, all those who were injured, and all their families. We hold them in our hearts, and we pray for them.
But on that sad day, something else happened, something good. We human beings opened our hearts and loved one another openly and freely that day. Parents kissed their children and said “I love you.” Teenagers called their grandparents to say “I love you.” Friends gathered to reassure one another and give hugs. People who don’t often go to church went to church to pray for the victims and their families.
People were extraordinarily nice to each other, even to strangers. In New York, the owners of shoe stores gave away sneakers to women who were walking home who had only high heeled shoes. Grocery store owners gave away free bottles of water to people who got thirsty. News reporters, who usually just report the story, started giving hugs to the people they were interviewing. All over the country, people rushed to the Red Cross to donate blood, knowing that injured people would need it. People from many countries around the world sent expressions of concern and sympathy to U.S. leaders. Some nations sent rescue workers to work side by side with U.S. responders, and there are many more stories of how people acted with compassion. On that dark day, we turned to one another and showed love, helping out strangers and anyone in need.
Today in our scripture readings we hear God’s call to love. Jesus said to love our neighbors and our enemies. It is easy to love our friends and family, a little more difficult to love neighbors, and it can be very hard to love enemies. But Jesus teaches us that in order to be children of God, we must learn to love everyone, even our enemies. The good news is that we don’t have to love our enemies on our own strength. First, Jesus gives us God’s love, and God’s love gives us the power and strength to love our enemies. When we give love instead of violence, we transform enemies into friends.
In your heart, I ask you to pray for the victims of 9/11, and to pray for all people who are tempted to use violence to get what they want. Pray that God would use us human beings as instruments of peace, to transform violent people into peaceful people. (Pause) Pray that God’s love will make you a powerful person of peace who chooses to build a world of love and justice, where people are friends instead of enemies.
