September 11
When he passes me, I cannot see him; when he
goes by, I cannot perceive him. Job 9:11
On this, the twelfth anniversary of the horrific events of September 11, 2001,
I find myself reflecting on the people involved in this catastrophic day in history.
It is painful to think about the 2997 people who perished that day, and the many more who have since, as a result of what their bodies endured in the days, weeks and months that followed. For their sacrifice and the sacrifice of our men and women in our Armed Forces, who protect us each day, we owe a tremendous
debt of gratitude.
We will never hear about most of the countless, selfless valiant acts of mercy and kindness that occurred September 11, 2001; all silenced among the smoldering carnage. There was no time for preparation in any of these situations. All the incredible people involved in these horrendous circumstances sacrificed their lives to save others, when only seconds counted. Jesus words immediately come to me: “No greater love than this;
to lay down one’s life for one’s friends.” (John 15:13) Overwhelming sadness will always fill me at the thought of all those whose lives were lost, and all the families whose lives are forever affected. How many of them called out to God for help? How many of them left this earth with God’s name last on their lips?
There was the small group of people on flight 93, whose selfless actions prevented a greater disaster from occurring in our Nation’s Capitol. With every effort to regain some control over their situation, they took
matters into their own hands. Verified by phone messages from some of those on board, loud shouting and commotion could be heard in the background. Perhaps their shouting was meant to take their captors off guard. Perhaps it gave them some much needed courage. None the less, together they acted. Some were brave enough to step forward first, others followed right behind. None of the 44 passengers on board survived the plunge to earth.
At the Twin Towers, hundreds of firefighters did he same. Responding to a call for help, they forged forward to assist those in need regardless of their own well being. Every Firefighter knows that each alarm he or she responds to is unpredictable; that they are putting their life on the line. They had no idea, on this terrible day,
of the unspeakable tragedy they were facing though. No one could have known. Seasoned firefighters and lesser experienced “Probies” went ahead without hesitation. 343 did not return.
And at the Pentagon, people rushed forward to assist any who needed help, when the surprise attack occurred. No thought was given of their own well-being. They helped save and comfort fellow employees and people they
did not know. 189 did not survive because of the crash of Flight 77 into the Pentagon.
Reflecting on this passage in today’s verse, although Job was clearly referring to God’s might and power and our inability to “see” Him, although His handprint is all around us; I find myself thinking about it in the
context of what was not “visible” to so many on that awful day. As some of the perpetrators left Boston, no
one would have guessed the evil they were in the presence of, as their appearance of travelling business men disguised their ominous intentions. Yet later, while people descended the countless stairs within the Twin Towers, in their own desperate attempt to flee the devastation, they passed firefighters, one after another heading in the opposite direction and laden with heavy, heavy equipment. Did they perceive that in the eyes that glanced their way or in the hands that were offering assistance, that they were witnessing God’s presence; God’s loving hands on earth?
The people who gave their lives for their fellow man on 9/11, made the ultimate sacrifice for the good of others.
What rejoicing there must have been as they entered Heaven that day, shouting “Here I am, Lord!” And the One who created them turned with waiting, open arms; smiled and said, "Well done, my good and faithful servant." (Matthew 25:21)
Lord, bless the souls of all those who made the ultimate sacrifice on September 11, 2001; bless also all those who suffer still.
In memory of Sean Patrick Tallon , FDNY
and
The 2,996 people who lost their lives on 9-11-01
May they rest in peace.
And may we remember also, and thank God for, the many K-9s who also lost their lives, doing more for mankind than they could have ever been trained to do.
Copyright© 2013 Kathleen A. Matson
When he passes me, I cannot see him; when he
goes by, I cannot perceive him. Job 9:11
On this, the twelfth anniversary of the horrific events of September 11, 2001,
I find myself reflecting on the people involved in this catastrophic day in history.
It is painful to think about the 2997 people who perished that day, and the many more who have since, as a result of what their bodies endured in the days, weeks and months that followed. For their sacrifice and the sacrifice of our men and women in our Armed Forces, who protect us each day, we owe a tremendous
debt of gratitude.
We will never hear about most of the countless, selfless valiant acts of mercy and kindness that occurred September 11, 2001; all silenced among the smoldering carnage. There was no time for preparation in any of these situations. All the incredible people involved in these horrendous circumstances sacrificed their lives to save others, when only seconds counted. Jesus words immediately come to me: “No greater love than this;
to lay down one’s life for one’s friends.” (John 15:13) Overwhelming sadness will always fill me at the thought of all those whose lives were lost, and all the families whose lives are forever affected. How many of them called out to God for help? How many of them left this earth with God’s name last on their lips?
There was the small group of people on flight 93, whose selfless actions prevented a greater disaster from occurring in our Nation’s Capitol. With every effort to regain some control over their situation, they took
matters into their own hands. Verified by phone messages from some of those on board, loud shouting and commotion could be heard in the background. Perhaps their shouting was meant to take their captors off guard. Perhaps it gave them some much needed courage. None the less, together they acted. Some were brave enough to step forward first, others followed right behind. None of the 44 passengers on board survived the plunge to earth.
At the Twin Towers, hundreds of firefighters did he same. Responding to a call for help, they forged forward to assist those in need regardless of their own well being. Every Firefighter knows that each alarm he or she responds to is unpredictable; that they are putting their life on the line. They had no idea, on this terrible day,
of the unspeakable tragedy they were facing though. No one could have known. Seasoned firefighters and lesser experienced “Probies” went ahead without hesitation. 343 did not return.
And at the Pentagon, people rushed forward to assist any who needed help, when the surprise attack occurred. No thought was given of their own well-being. They helped save and comfort fellow employees and people they
did not know. 189 did not survive because of the crash of Flight 77 into the Pentagon.
Reflecting on this passage in today’s verse, although Job was clearly referring to God’s might and power and our inability to “see” Him, although His handprint is all around us; I find myself thinking about it in the
context of what was not “visible” to so many on that awful day. As some of the perpetrators left Boston, no
one would have guessed the evil they were in the presence of, as their appearance of travelling business men disguised their ominous intentions. Yet later, while people descended the countless stairs within the Twin Towers, in their own desperate attempt to flee the devastation, they passed firefighters, one after another heading in the opposite direction and laden with heavy, heavy equipment. Did they perceive that in the eyes that glanced their way or in the hands that were offering assistance, that they were witnessing God’s presence; God’s loving hands on earth?
The people who gave their lives for their fellow man on 9/11, made the ultimate sacrifice for the good of others.
What rejoicing there must have been as they entered Heaven that day, shouting “Here I am, Lord!” And the One who created them turned with waiting, open arms; smiled and said, "Well done, my good and faithful servant." (Matthew 25:21)
Lord, bless the souls of all those who made the ultimate sacrifice on September 11, 2001; bless also all those who suffer still.
In memory of Sean Patrick Tallon , FDNY
and
The 2,996 people who lost their lives on 9-11-01
May they rest in peace.
And may we remember also, and thank God for, the many K-9s who also lost their lives, doing more for mankind than they could have ever been trained to do.
Copyright© 2013 Kathleen A. Matson