 |
| Icon by Lewis Williams, bridgebulding.com |
Our lives will never be the same, we have the honor and privilege today to remember and call out the names of those who lost their lives in the events now known simply as "9/11."
We keep them in prayer. We remember. We share our memories, our pains, our hopes for a more united world.
Today I prayed at Gates of Heaven Cemetery. The Mass was celebrated by the Bishop. Once again I promised "never to forget" and decided to go a bit further this upcoming year to build a more united world.
I really like the icon. What do you think?
How are you remembering?
1 comment:
I have mixed feelings about 9-11. It was a horrific event that killed almost 3,000 people. On the other hand, almost 3,000 Americans are killed each MONTH on our highways in accidents. Who remembers or does anything for the families of the everyday John Does who get just as senselessly killed in their cars? Every "unexpected" death is a tragedy of the same proportion as the 9-11 deaths, to the family and friends.
3,000 people is a lot of people--but more than that died in the big tsunami and in earthquakes around the world since 9-11: tens or hundreds of thousands of people were killed in single events. That's a scale of death I can't even really imagine.
What is it about 9-11 that causes us to want to "always remember" and to hold special memorial services for the victims & their families, when we don't do it for any other disasters on the anniversaries of their events? Is it because of our American pride, that we were attacked on our own soil? Is it because the event was premeditated and not a natural disaster or the routine carnage on our roads? Is it because the media replayed the images in front of our eyes so many times (and continues to do so)? Why? Don't misunderstand; I think it's a wonderful thing that we have 9-11 memorial services still. It's just that there are so many more who need our prayers.
I often pray for all who are called from this life when they least expect it--whether from an accident, a natural disaster, a terrorist attack, a sudden heart attack, or whatever the cause may be--those who thought they had more time to say they were sorry, to reconcile with loved ones (or enemies) or to do more to prepare themselves to meet their Heavenly Father.
9-11, accidents, and natural disasters are good reminders that we should live each day as if it is our last, to do all we can each day to keep our souls in a state of grace.
Post a Comment