The 9/11 Effect

Friday and Saturday, the Genesius Project at Merrimack College presented a moving and challenging original production entitled The 9/11 Effect.  Today, the actual tenth anniversary, what is the effect this horrific event is having on us?  The media is devoting hours of programing, the newpapers are full or articles, the dedication of the memorial at Ground Zero is taking place...a lot of words are being spoken, and in the Churches, an abundnce of prayers, as we remember those who lost their lives and those who still painfully mourn them with a grief that will never disappear.  Pointedly, today's Gospel of the 24th Sunday in Ordinary Time is about forgiveness. This is tough one. "Peter approached Jesus and asked him, 'Lord, if my brother sins against me, how often must I forgive? As many as seven times?'  Jesus answered, 'I say to you, not seven times but seventy-seven times.'" (Mt 18: 21-22).  St. Paul has strong words on the subject for the Ephesians (and us):  "All bitterness, fury, anger, shouting and reviling must be removed from you, along with all malice. [And] be kind to one another, compassionate, forgiving one another a God has forgiven you in Christ." (Eph 4:31-32).  Jesus urges us to have courage in taking steps toward forgiveness.  It is possible if we unite with him who is love, joy, peace, strength, power, healing, humility, patience and forgiveness.  We do not make oursevles these, we live with Jesus, in union with him through our prayer, meditation and Holy Communion and then his life in us accomplishes the miracle-change that is needed. As we ponder the events of ten years ago, may one of the effects on us be to draw us into greater union with Jesus and thus enable us to deal with the challenge of forgiveness..
Bro. Rene