Not just another day

 

Dear Friends

Today I was invited to give the invocation for the 9/11 remembrance at Corona’s City Hall. I began by sharing words that Fr. Mychal Judge, a chaplain for the New York City Fire Department who died that day, had printed on cards to hand out to anyone he met who needed them. (The last line is the best!)

Lord, take me where you want me to go

Let me meet who you want me to meet

Tell me what you want me to say

And keep me out of your way.       

 

Let us pray: As we join others across the country to remember those who died 22 years ago today, let us also remember their families and friends who have gone forward bravely, but who still feel the emptiness and pain of losing a loved one, so suddenly, without any warning.  (And let us include those grieving in Morocco this morning.)  Bring them your continuing healing and comfort. Surround and sustain them with your love.

Let us also pray for our country, as we struggle to recapture and restore the bonds and the unity we felt so strongly that day, as we faced our collective shock and anger and grief in a spirit of mutual caring and dependence on one another, expressed in so many ways, including heroic first responders who led the way.

And finally, let us hear again President Bush’s words spoken from the oval office that night, a call to prayer then, and a call to prayer today:

Tonight, I ask for your prayers for all those who grieve, for the children whose worlds have been shattered, for all whose sense of safety and security has been threatened. And I pray they will be comforted by a power greater than any of us, spoken through the ages in Psalm 23: "Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I fear no evil, for You are with me." This is a day when all Americans from every walk of life unite in our resolve for justice and peace. America has stood down enemies before, and we will do so this time. None of us will ever forget this day. Yet, we go forward to defend freedom and all that is good and just in our world.

Thank you. Good night, and God bless America.              

Amen.

John

P.S. First two pictures are from the NY Times archives. Third picture I took today as school children from Jefferson Elementary went on stage to sing a patriotic song.