9-11

When you see the date 9 – 11 your mind immediately races back to that fateful morning. As the tenth anniversary approaches you have no doubt seen some of the reminders provided by the media. There have been news video clips played, interviews with survivors, wives, moms, dads, brothers, sisters, sons and daughters. We have heard from fire fighters and other first responders. We have heard from presidents and world leaders. The memory of this day is important to this nation. The lives of millions were changed that day. Some lost their spouse, some lost their child, some lost their parent, some lost their friend. We all lost something on that day.
I remember wondering about what kind of world my children would grow up in and wondering if we would ever be safe again. For awhile Americans entered buildings, stadiums, sports arenas, busses, trains, and airports with both eyes wide open. We looked carefully at each person we saw and wondered….
Over the years we lost some of that feeling and we have returned to a more normal state of life. I no longer wonder about safety and I am no longer concerned about every person in line at the airport. Life is different, but I am used to the changes.
This week as the images of airplanes crashing into the World Trade Center were played again on the television and all the memories and feelings returned. One of my sons commented that he remembered exactly what classroom he was in that morning and what they were doing when the news first hit and he remembered watching all of it unfold on television as he and the rest of the school witnessed our nation being under attack. I am sure that as this anniversary comes and goes each of us will have similar memories.
As much as that fateful day changed our world forever it was nothing like the day Jesus was crucified over 2000 years ago. You and I did not get to watch that first hand and there are no video tape images to replay. We rely on the written word passed down by eye witnesses to give us all the details. Ummm – details. Sometimes I wonder if communion has become an event that merely recalls the details of that moment in time.
I hope and pray that each time you pause to remember the cross that it is more than just a recounting of events. I hope you in your own way you find a way to make the death of Jesus Christ personal. I hope that your memory of that day is one of grace, mercy, love, compassion. I hope that the memory of that day motivates you to live your life in such a way that brings glory and honor to the Father who gave his only Son for you and me.
Love God. Go Love Others.