World Trade Center "cross" 9/11/2001
Today we remember all those who lost their lives, and those families who lost loved ones in a senseless attack on innocent lives. I recall that Tuesday morning in 2001 as if it were yesterday. My question now is the same as it was 14 years ago; how do I make sense from a senseless act?
I often write about the need for us to change our perspective, so I found this quote by Henri Nouwen, a renown spiritual author, to be quite enlightening:
This is not to say that we give up; but rather that we re-frame our expectations toward realistic goals such as peace within ourselves, our families, our communities. We are asked to accept and trust in God. A trust not always easy to come by in light of the realities of the suffering in our world. How can I trust in God through all that is happening around me?
In a book entitled "Franciscan Voices on 9/11", one of the contributors writes:
These quotes give me hope and encouragement. The wisdom of these writers encourage and challenge me to action. Not to sit still in fear or sadness, but to take action and make a difference. In our families and local community, what can I do to bring peace?
This quote, taken from the book "Hinds Feet on High Places" by Hannah Hurnard, succinctly sums up my reflection:
“Therefore I begin to think, my Lord, you purposely allow us to be brought into contact with the bad and evil things that You want changed. Perhaps that is the very reason why we are here in this world, where sin and sorrow and suffering and evil abound, so that we may let You teach us so to react to them, that out of them we can create lovely qualities to live forever. That is really the only satisfactory way of dealing with evil. Not simply binding it so that it cannot work harm, but whenever possible overcoming it with good.”
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