September 10, 2021
Dear Friends,
It is amazing how quickly time flies. Sometimes, we don’t even realize the passing of time. In the realm of nostalgia, I can’t even say childhood nostalgia, earlier this week a video was released from the original host of Blue’s Clue’s (Steve), celebrating 25 years of the show. The amount of chatter and emotions that people had from such a simple message was amazing. In my head the show is not 25 years old.
Tomorrow is 20 years since the terrorist attacks and the fall of the twin towers as well as the attack in Washington. It is hard to fathom that is has been 20 years since this occurred. With the passage of time, even though we remember the events, we have forgotten certain aspects of the days following. As soon as we hear 9/11, we flash to our own remembrance of the day and where we were. As a nation, we saw things change and are still reeling with what occurred that day.
The lasting memories of the day have left a mark upon us, be it good or bad. It is something many people still process, even after all these years. If you are on social media, people are sharing different stories, memories, pictures of the day and the lives that were lost. People are also wishing for an America that was like 9/12, when everyone came together and was united for a common cause/good, where people put their own selfishness aside to the help those in need.
Twenty years removed from the attacks, there is still so much that we can do. We pray for those who were lost. We pray for those who survived. We support the charities that need our help. Perhaps we can look beyond ourselves and do what we can NOW to help those in need. Think about others in your daily choices and decisions. Think about what Jesus would want us to do in our daily lives and enact those changes within yourself. There is something about the call to live a world of 9/12. It is something that Jesus has already called you to do.
At all masses this weekend, we will be praying for those who were lost. In front of the altar is a binder with the list of names of all who died 20 years ago. Let us take time this weekend to pray for their souls and for their families. Let us hear God’s voice in our hearts and do what we can to make the world a better place. It is not just my world or your world, it is our world. If we follow Christ’s call, we can make it a better one.
God Bless,
Fr. Brian