September 11, 2021

Dear Friends in Christ,

In Sunday’s readings, we are confronted with several themes about which one could sit through entire college courses. The truth of God as a pillar of strength who will help us in our times of need. The question of what one’s faith means without accompanying good works. The journey of salvation sought through a path of self-sacrifice, suffering, and the pursuit of the Gospel’s truth.

It’s impossible to reflect on these readings this weekend without seeing them through the lens of our commemoration today of the 20^th anniversary of 9/11. I imagine many of you spent Saturday morning watching or following the memorials that took place in New York City, NY; Arlington, VA; and Shanksville, PA – the sites where four planes were hijacked and used as missiles to bring horrific carnage on a vulnerable nation on September 11, 2001.

As many of you know, the 40 passengers and crew members on United Flight 93 refused to let their narrative end in the way their hijackers intended. After reporting to their families that their flight had been hijacked and learning of the terrorist attacks at the World Trade Center and the Pentagon, the passengers of United Flight 93 voted to do something about it. The efforts of several passengers on that flight to take back the cockpit resulted in the hijackers deciding to crash their plane into a field in rural Somerset County, PA, killing all 44 aboard. The passengers’ actions saved the lives of those in whatever was the hijackers’ intended target – likely, the U.S. Capitol – saving us from the horror of witnessing a third symbol of national might assaulted. 

 

In his suffering, death and Resurrection, Jesus Christ gave us the greatest example of self-sacrifice and love one can give in freely giving one’s life so others could live. In their self-sacrifice, willingness to act and decision to fight, the passengers of United Flight 93 provide us with another example of what we are called to do: Remember God as our help. Back up our beliefs with action. Deny ourselves for the greater good.

May God bless all those who continue to mourn the 2,996 people who perished on 9/11. I invite you to reflect, mourn, and pray during the 9/11 prayer service commemorating the 20^th anniversary of September 11 at 7 pm Sunday, September 12, in the church.

May you have a blessed and peaceful start to your week tomorrow.

Yours in Christ,

Fr. John