It’s been a tough few weeks in America.
From the senseless attack on school children in a church to the horrific murders of innocent victims (a young woman on light rail, an elderly couple in their home, and a woman walking her dog), we already felt numb. Then on Wednesday, the brutal killing of a well-known American brought condemnation from across the political landscape. One of his last acts was answering a question about his faith in God.
I questioned whether to send the annual 9/11 reminder. It all feels too overwhelming. Then I remembered that’s how 9/11 felt — but multiplied exponentially. I also realized that honoring 9/11 enables us to remember powerful lessons learned back then — lessons we desperately need 24 years later.
Before we can apply those lessons for today, we must step back to September 11, 2001. Honoring this somber anniversary will help provide the balm we seek.
TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 11, 2001
The day started out beautiful. Sunny with bright blue skies. It felt glorious and perfect . . . until it wasn’t. In a moment, life changed for almost 3,000 people, their families, and our country. (Life feels erratic again, doesn’t it?)
THE WORLD TRADE CENTER
8:46 a.m. Flight 11 hit the North Tower severing all exits above the 91st floor.
9:03 a.m. Flight 175 hit the South Tower leaving only one exit above the 77nd floor.
9:59 a.m. The South Tower fell after burning 56 minutes. More than 800 died.
10:28 a.m. The North Tower fell after burning 102 minutes. More than 1,600 died.
Out of sheer depravity, the terrorists had chosen four cross-country flights loaded with fuel for maximum devastation. When the second plane hit, a dreadful reality sunk in that America was under attack.
News networks streamed constant footage. Planes flying into the towers. Giant fireballs. People jumping from their fiery entrapment. Towers collapsing. (I’ve recalled this as the media streamed the savagery of recent events — sometimes it’s best to look away, for we weren’t made to view such evil.)
THE PENTAGON
9:37 a.m. Flight 77 crashed into the Pentagon. On the plane, 59 people perished.
Within the Pentagon, another 125 died. It would have been higher if not for just finished renovations that hardened the area.
SHANKSVILLE, PA
8:42 a.m. Flight 93 departed late, which would prove significant.
10:03 a.m. Flight 93 crashed in a Pennsylvania field; 40 people died.
The flight delay created time for those on board to learn of the attacks. Todd Beamer reached Lisa Jefferson, an Airfone operator — and a Christian. He asked her to pray the Lord’s Prayer and Psalm 23. She heard, “let’s roll” as they fought the terrorists and ultimately saved lives in Washington, DC (where the plane had been headed).
Lisa Jefferson spoke of Todd’s calmness. His widow explained, “Todd knew his life was more than his 32 years on Earth. His soul was secure, because Jesus was His Savior.” (We’ve heard similar words from family members of those recently killed.)
NATIONAL PRAYER SERVICE
Three days after 9/11, political and religious leaders gathered for a prayer service. Reverend Billy Graham spoke, and his words provided tremendous comfort — as they do today. Below are excerpts:
I have been asked . . . why God allows tragedy. I do not know. God is not the Author of evil, [for] “the heart is deceitful above all things.” I have to accept, by faith . . . [that] He is a God of love [and] compassion in the midst of suffering.
The cross tells us that God understands our sin and suffering, for He took them upon Himself in the Person of Jesus Christ. From the cross God declares, “I love you. I know the heartaches and the sorrows and the pain that you feel.”
My prayer . . . is that we will feel the loving arms of God wrapped around us, [for] there is hope for eternal life. Christ has conquered evil and death and hell. Yes, there is hope.
The day before Billy Graham spoke about Jesus’ redeeming love on the cross, something remarkable occurred. Beneath the wreckage of the shattered World Trade Center, a worker digging through the rubble found an enormous cross.
The cross seemed “formed” out of the wreckage. Father Brian Jordan, a Ground Zero Chaplain, described it as a “sign from God that God never abandoned us.” (God will never abandon us during our current trials and tribulations.)
Cardinal Timothy Dolan echoed Billy Graham’s words at a 9/11 memorial service:
No wonder a cross of steel, forged in the destruction of the attack, was found in the rubble, [for] on the cross, Jesus turned darkness to light, sin to grace, hate to love, [and] death to life.
As this journey to revisit 9/11 concludes, I’ll end as I began.
You are correct to feel overwhelming sadness due to the recent tragedies. At the same time, know our great Nation has survived other deeply troubling challenges — it got through 9/11. We did it by leaning on God in faith and prayer — not as a sappy alternative for short-term fixes but because we could do nothing else but turn to God.
Look at what Vice President Vance said two weeks ago.
No one thinks prayer is a substitute for action. We pray because our hearts are broken, and we believe that God is listening.
God is indeed listening.
On the 24th anniversary of 9/11, let the solemn day serve as a reminder for how we can respond to current challenges. Do you recall how Americans came together in prayer after 9/11? That is what we must do now.
As we honor the almost 3,000 killed on 9/11, we will pray for all those impacted — those who still carry injuries and others left behind to mourn.
Likewise, concerning the gut-wrenching events of past days and weeks, honor those killed. Pray for the injured. Pray for the families and those who grieve.
Pray for America.
The 9/11 cross testified that God “never abandoned us.” He will not abandon us today, for “God goes with you, [and] He will never leave you.”
Our hands will fold in prayer as we never forget 9/11.
The side of the angels, not of the demons, conquered.
[People] rallied [with] intense faith, prayer, hope, and love.
We can rely on God . . . and keep going.
Cardinal Timothy Dolan