Today marks the 20th anniversary of the attacks of 9/11. It seems appropriate to say a few words on this occasion, but I would be lying if I said this was easy to write. 20 years later, it is still hard to say with any clarity what lessons we have learned or how the events of that day, and the 20 years since, have brought us closer to God. I’m not sure they have.
Many people recall back to the days right after 9/11 saying they want that feeling of unity again. “We want 9/12” or something like that, are popular Facebook posts going around now. I remember those days and weeks and months as well. Church attendance was even up for about 6 months as people were looking for answers, comfort, and hope. However, by the first anniversary, we were back to pre-9/11 attendance and the feeling of unity was mostly gone.
The overwhelming feeling of 9/12 was grief and denial. In horror and disbelief, we set aside our normal routines and glued ourselves to our TVs watching the tragic events and the aftermath playout. This soon gave way to anger as we tried to discover who to blame. It was hard to believe that 11 people caused so much damage and the loss of so many lives. It was at this point that our country split and began its journey into the widest most polarized place it has ever been since the Civil War. As a country, we chose to respond in anger. In response to the attack by 11 people, we invaded not one, but two entire countries. We also turned on an entire religious community within our own country, even making up fictitious stories about how they were celebrating on 9/11.
The anger that united us didn't last though. It had to be fed. Over time, the anger subsided for many Americans. For others though, it continued to be fed through media propaganda and even through their religious communities. Hate is a galvanizing force, and by keeping the fires stoked some political and religious leaders prospered. However, it has torn our country, our communities, and even our families apart. Hate is a power force, and perhaps that is why Jesus was so adamant about how to respond to it. “But I say to you that listen, Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, pray for those who abuse you.” - Luke 6:27-28
I have a tough time reflecting on 9//11 because I still see this great divide in our country between those who choose hate and those who choose love. I am reminded of the words of Rev. Martin Luther King, Jr. “I have decided to stick with love. Hate is too great a burden to bear.” My heart goes out to those whose lives are consumed with hate, because I know what drives hate is fear. How awful it must be to live in that kind of fear day in and day out. To believe that large groups of people—all blacks or all Muslims or all LGBTQ people or all Jews–are out to get you is a terrible way to live. It is, indeed, too great a burden to carry.
It is essential that we carry on with our message of love, compassion, and kindness. Even if it seems to go unheard. Even if it causes us to be mocked and derided. Love really is the only life-sustaining choice. In the movie Love Actually, we are reminded in the opening prologue that, as the planes were hitting the towers, most of the phone calls from the people trapped were calls of love. In our darkest hours, it is love, not hate, that sustains, fills, and strengthens us.
If we are to take a moment on this 20th anniversary of 9/11, let it be for that–to remember the love shared by and for those we lost on that day. Let us remember the love of the first responders who risked and lost everything to save others. This is the love that God is calling us to, love for our neighbors, and yes, even love for our enemies. Let love be the legacy of 9/11 that we remember this year and every year.
