September 2011

Tenth Anniversary of 9/11

This week we celebrate the tenth anniversary of September 11, 2001, commonly referred to as 9/11. It is one of those special dates in our lives and the lives of our nation that makes an indelible imprint in our memories as natural and manmade disasters are prone to do. Terrorist attacks occurred destroying the twin towers of the World Trade Center in New York City, at the Pentagon, and in the air over Shanksville, PA. In New York, 2,753 people from over 90 countries died who were 2— 85 years old. At the Pentagon 184 persons died. And aboard Flight 93, there were 40 fatalities. There were 19 hijackers who died in causing these atrocities.

As a nation of people, strong and brave, Americans refuse to fearfully cower in a corner on the globe. Many of us, strengthened by a steadfast love of and faith in God, go on with our daily lives. We confess however that our lives have been changed. War and security anxiety have become a mainstay. A search for bin Laden, considered the leader of the terrorism became an obsession. Many find peace in the fact that U S. military forces, at the direction of Commander in Chief President Barack Obama, consummated the search and ended the life of bin Laden several months ago.

In our human frailty, we sometimes forget the word of the Lord. A press release from the Stated Clerk of PCUSA, reminded us of Paul’s message to the people of Rome in which teaches: Do not pay anyone evil for evil, but take thought of what is noble in the sight all. Beloved, never avenge yourselves, but leave room for the wrath of God; for it is written, “Vengeance is mine, I will repay, says the Lord... .Do not be overcome with evil, but overcome evil with good” (Rom. 12:17-19, 21).

The press release continues noting that the General Assemblies of PCUSA have warned us about the dangers of militarism linked to religion (including Christianity). Let us not forget lessons learned from provocation by terrorists and our responses in like manner. Violence is not an easy answer. As the church, we are called to practice forgiveness of enemies and work fervently in search of cooperation and peace. Learning from the response of our progenitors who were Africans who were captured and enslaved in America, let all Americans implore God saying:

Keep us forever in the path, we pray.
Lest our feet stray from the places, our God, where we met Thee.
Lest our hearts, drunk with the wine of the world, we forget Thee.
Shadowed beneath Thy hand, may we forever stand,
True to our God, true to our native land.

 - Rev. Helen Bessent Byrd