Remembering - September 11
Today’s Readings: AM Psalm 55; PM Psalm 138, 139:1-17(18-23), 1 Kings 18:41-19:8; Phil. 3:17-4:7; Matt. 3:13-17
Over the last few days, I have read and listened to accounts of people’s experiences on Tuesday, September 11, 2001.
Former Saint Stephen’s parishioner Tasha Gibson wrote on Facebook about her experience that day as a college freshman at NYU and in Lower Manhattan with a classmate when the planes hit the Twin Towers. She saw the explosion when the second plane hit. She watched the towers collapse, one at a time. In the dust of destruction and the haze of shock, Tasha forged forever-friendships with Fran and others as they figured out next steps of life and faith.
The Rev. Caroline Dennis, now a Presbyterian minister in South Carolina, reflected in a 9/11 memorial video about her family’s experience that day, as they returned from a family wedding in Europe. While in the air, they learned that the borders of the United States were closed due to a terrorist attack. Their plane was diverted to Gander, Newfoundland with more than 70 other planes. A sleepy town of 8,000 residents welcomed 7,500 hungry, scared, and tired passengers from all over the world. The people of Gander made shelters in their school gym, in public buildings…and residents invited families into their homes for days, until the travelers could re-board planes to head home.
Sean Dietrich published a stirring essay about the passengers on Flight 93, that crashed into a field in Pennsylvania because those aboard were not willing to let evil win. To read his latest piece of beautiful work, visit his website: https://seandietrich.com/
Maybe you have been revisiting memories of that beautiful, horrible Tuesday morning, too. As I read the words of the psalm appointed for this morning, Psalm 55, I felt my soul stirring. The words of this soulful prayer move in sync with the sadness I feel around the attacks on September 11, 2001:
1 Hear my prayer, O God;
do not hide yourself from my petition.
2 Listen to me and answer me;
I have no peace, because of my cares.
3 I am shaken by the noise of the enemy
and by the pressure of the wicked;
4 For they have cast an evil spell upon me
and are set against me in fury.
5 My heart quakes within me,
and the terrors of death have fallen upon me.
6 Fear and trembling have come over me,
and horror overwhelms me.
7 And I said, "Oh, that I had wings like a dove!
I would fly away and be at rest.
This powerful poetic psalm is a gift of lament, ushering us down into the mire of loss, and reconnecting us with God’s strong and steadfast presence, nevertheless. God is our constant companion in these dark times of the past and present. Let us cast our burdens on the Lord, who will sustain us.
If this time-stamped marker of sacrifice and loss is too heavy for you today, do not sit alone. Call a friend. Reach out to a family member or neighbor. Go for a walk. Drop to your knees (as you are able) in prayer. Or, join us at Saint Stephen’s – in person or on Facebook – at 8:30 a.m. for a special Morning Prayer, Rite II.
Friends, the firm foundation of God’s love is strong enough to hold your brokenness and doubt. Jesus wept; he knows your pain and fear. Pray that the Holy Spirit will empower you to proclaim the goodness of the Risen Lord, even on hard days.
-- Katherine+
Questions for Reflection
Where were you on September 11, 2001? Who was around you? How did you learn about the violence of that day?
What do you remember feeling? What do you feel about that day now?
Daily Challenge
As you reflect on the tragedies of 9/11, and other times when life was shaken to the core, read Psalm 55. Allow the sadness and reality of that day present itself to you. Pray through the verses, as memories well up. Pray that God’s comforting presence is there in the quelling of the pain. Cast that burden upon God, who is constant and will not let you stumble.