"This is a day you are to commemorate; for the generations
to come you shall celebrate it as a festival to the LORD--a
lasting ordinance." or as the King James has it, "You shall
observe it as an ordinance forever." The establishment of the
Passover, one of the most important of all Jewish festivals. And
they HAVE observed it forever. Every year since, and down to our
own day, Jewish families have gathered at the traditional Seder
meal. The patriarch of the household asks the children, "What
makes this night different than all other nights?" The
youngsters respond with the Exodus story of God's miraculous
deliverance of their people. Some things are important to
remember.
We understand that. I wonder if, in any American home this
Wednesday, anyone will ask, "What makes this day different from
all other days?" Who knows? But we know why someone might be
tempted. September 11th was a horrible day. Most of us can
recall exactly where we were and what we were doing when we
heard. I was in my office in the manse preparing for our regular
Tuesday staff meeting. CNBC was on in the background to
chronicle the continuing decline and fall of my life savings when
suddenly the announcement came about the World Trade Center. All
anyone thought was what an atrocious accident, and what a
nightmare it was going to be to get firefighting equipment up
there. Our staff meeting commenced at 9:00 so we did not hear of
the second plane until someone called us to ask if we knew.
Needless to say, the plans for the day were scrapped. My wife
was supposed to be on a plane back from Caracas at that hour and,
according to the Delta website, she was now in the air, having
taken off just moments after the second attack. Many of you knew
of those plans and called to find out about her. We knew nothing
other than the fact that international planes were being diverted
and would not be permitted to land in the US. Over and over you
said to me, "Don't worry, she's fine." Over and over, I was
grateful for your encouraging words.
The day dragged on. We were glued to whatever TV sets were
handy. I have no idea how many times we saw the second plane fly
into the south tower, or how many times we saw them collapse.
Gracious plenty. Too many for lots of folks. As we approach the
tragic anniversary, a Gallup poll this week says that 54% of
those surveyed say the TV networks should show the footage of the
collapses again, but 43% say please, no - enough is enough.(1)
Remembering 9/11. Our national response was, for the most
part, wonderful. We saw true heroism in the work of New York's
police and firefighters. I doubt that any of us not directly
related had given much thought to the life-threatening danger
these public servants lived with day in and day out until that
day. On September 11th we saw their courage and dedication, and
it was a marvel to behold.
As the perpetrators were identified, we quickly put things
into perspective. Yes, there were a few isolated incidents of
hate crimes committed against folks who appeared to be from the
Middle East, but, for the most part, people understood that these
horrific acts had been the work of a fanatical fringe - to tar
all of Islam with the brush of Al-Quaida would be the same as
tarring all Christianity with the brush of the Ku Klux Klan. We
reacted better than that, and I am glad.
There was a wonderful outpouring of support for the victims
and their families. Remember the long lines at the blood banks?
The billions of dollars ungrudgingly given to charities who would
provide assistance, in some cases more money than they knew what
to do with? Americans are a generous people. We already knew
that. And not only generous to our own; we are generous with the
whole world. That is why the questions came later that day: "Why
would they do such a thing? Why do they hate us so?"
One of the pleasant surprises of 9/11 was the flood of
sympathy from around the world. Remember? Even nations we would
normally not think of as friends stood in solidarity with us and
condemned the attacks. Cuba? Yes, even Cuba. The footage shown
on TV of some young Palestinians celebrating the news was played
over and over again, and as it was, we began to notice that folks
in the background were not celebrating at all. It turned out
that there was far more footage of people around the globe
reacting with shock and horror strained through tears.
As the day wore on, the numbness we had felt at the first
word of the attacks began to wear off. The tragedy was touching
us at the very depths of our being. We heard the reports of
phone conversations from the upper floors of the Trade Center
towers, or the cell phone calls from United flight 93, not to
express fear or anger, but simply to say, "I'm stuck up here; I
don't think I'm gonna make it...I love you...Take care of the
children." We wanted to talk with our own family. We
appreciated in a new way how fragile life really is.
No doubt that is why church attendance took such a jump in
the days following the tragedy. Even folks who, for every other
day of their lives were blissfully irreligious suddenly found
themselves in church...prayer services that night, memorial
services on the Friday following, Sunday worship.
September 11th. Remember saying that everything was now
changed, everything is different now? I said it. But I am not
sure I believe it anymore. True, some things have changed.
Tighter security at airports - I read yesterday that the folks at
Los Angeles International Airport confiscated a GI Joe doll
because it had a two-inch plastic rifle. A spokesman for LAX
said, "We have instructions to confiscate anything that looks
like a weapon or a replica. If GI Joe was carrying a replica
then it had to be taken from him."(2) A two-inch piece of plastic.
Well, I don't know about you but I sure feel safer now. Duh.
As many of you know, I serve on the Board of your Economic
Opportunity Council and for several days this week I had to be in
New York City for the annual meeting of the national Community
Action Partnership. This was my first trip to New York since the
attacks. As we drove to Manhattan from New Jersey, I looked at
the approaching skyline - different from my many previous visits.
I am old enough to remember the days before the twin towers were
erected, when the tallest structure in the New York sky was the
Empire State Building. Years ago I remember thinking it was a
bit unfair to build these giant towers to dwarf the former
champion. Now they were gone. The skyline was empty where they
had been. The Empire State Building is number one again. NOW we
can talk about unfair.
The hotel was near Times Square so I decided after
Thursday's meetings to walk over to that huge outdoor free
concert they were promoting to kick off the new season for the
National Football League. You may have heard about it. It was
being called the world's largest tailgate party, but it wasn't -
no cars; traffic was prohibited for 20 blocks coming and going
and there were 5700 police and a zillion metal barricades to make
sure nothing got through. All handbags and backpacks were being
inspected. Security writ LARGE! I did not stay very long - it
was LOUD. But I guess we were safe.
We are more openly patriotic now, probably more than any
time since the end of World War II. Not only "The Star Spangled
Banner," but "America the Beautiful" and "God Bless America."
And how many times have we heard Lee Greenwood or a Lee Greenwood
wannabe sing,
I'm proud to be an American
where at least I know I'm free.
And I won't forget the men who died,
who gave that right to me.
And I'd gladly stand up next to you
and defend her still today.
Cause there ain't no doubt I love this land;
God bless the USA.(3)
Yes, we live in a wonderful country. Patriotism is a good
thing...within limits. After all, we remember Samuel Johnson's
wisdom that "Patriotism is the last refuge of a scoundrel." We
need to be careful.
Yes, after September 11th we said everything was changed.
But then we were quick to add that we wanted to get back to
normal - "if we don't, the terrorists will have won." Remember?
The president said that the attackers wanted to bring our economy
down, so the suggestion was made that we all go out and spend
money. My daughter said a hearty AMEN!
We DID get back to normal. Good. And bad. A few weeks
after the attacks, Barbara Brown Taylor wrote for The Christian
Century:
On September 11, thousands of Americans died violent
deaths, while millions of others were scared to death.
In the weeks since then, we have seen some awful
things. We have also seen some remarkable ones--true
heroes at Ground Zero, interfaith alliances across the
land, lawyers' associations declining lawsuits,
Hollywood producers yanking blockbuster films--in
short, an entire country engaged in a revolution of
values.
It is apparently something we could not do on our own,
but the stunning tragedies of the past several weeks
have brought with them equally stunning clarity about
what matters and what does not. Our lists may not
match but at least we are working on them, many of us
with a level of humility that is entirely new to us.
Every time I hear a presidential challenge to return to
normal, my heart skips a beat. I do not want to go
back to the way things were.(4)
She has something there, doesn't she? There are things
about us that needed to be changed. Many still do.
This weekend President Bush has written about the tragedy
and the impending anniversary. Perhaps you saw it in yesterday's
paper:
Countless people around the country have asked me,
"What can I do to help in the war on terror?" The
answer: overcome evil with acts of goodness. Love a
neighbor. Reach out to somebody in need. Feed someone
who is hungry. Teach a child to read, or join in
community efforts to prepare for emergencies by helping
local firefighters or police.(5)
Well, preach, brother, preach! That would be a wonderful
way to remember September 11th. It would be a wonderful focus
for national policy as well.
Suddenly we hear again the words of our lesson. God's
instruction to Israel about another important day: "This is a day
you are to commemorate; for the generations to come you shall
celebrate it as a festival to the LORD--a lasting ordinance."
Why? To insure that the nation remembers who it is and WHOSE it
is.
Remembering 9/11 can help us do the same. We remember we
are Americans, but we also remember we are Christians, and that
says something about how respond to attacks:
- We are Christians who remember the word of the Lord that
says "Vengeance is mine, I will repay."(6)
- We are Christians who remember the word of the Lord that
says, "If your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty,
give him something to drink."(7)
- We are Christians who remember the word of the Lord that
says, "Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with
good."(8)
- We are Christians who remember the word of the Lord that
says, "Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute
you."(9)
Remembering 9/11. It will be painful. But, by the grace of
God, it will be helpful.
America, America,
God shed his grace on thee,
And crown thy good with brotherhood
From sea to shining sea.
Amen!
1. USA TODAY, 9/6/02, p. 2A
2. http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/2173150.stm
3. Words and Music by Lee Greenwood © Copyright 1984 by MUSIC CORPORATION
OF AMERICA, INC. & SONGS OF POLYGRAM INTERNATIONAL, INC.
4. Barbara Brown Taylor, "Back to Normal?" The Christian Century, 11/7/01, p. 26
5. George W. Bush, "Where We Stand," USA WEEKEND, Sept. 6-8, 2002, p. 7
6. Romans 12:19
7. Romans 12:20
8. Romans 12:21
9. Matthew 5:44
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