On September 11, 2001 human beings used terror to make their concerns known to the shock of the world. Too often human beings have used terror as a part of their vocabulary. People find ways to terrorize each other in physical and emotional ways. If 911 teaches us anything, it is that terror is a horrible way to communicate. We need to take terror out of our vocabularies.
 

            Jesus gives us that new vocabulary for the world. In Matthew 5:43-48 (Inclusive Bible) “You have heard it said, ‘Love your neighbor - but hate your enemy.’ But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for your persecutors. This will prove that you are children of God. For God makes the sun rise on bad and good alike; God’s rain falls on the just and unjust. If you love those who love you, what merit is there in that? Don’t tax collectors do as much? And if you greet only your sisters and brothers, what is so praise worthy in that? Don’t Gentiles do as much? Therefore be perfect, as Abba God in heaven is perfect.”
 

            In these past seven years what have we learned? Have we learned better ways of communicating with our enemies? Have we learned more effective ways to respond to the evil we find in others or in people with whom we disagree? On this anniversary of terror, we remember those who sacrificed their lives for the sake of others as we pray together an ancient but profound prayer of peace, by Saint Francis of Assisi:
 

            Lord, make me an instrument of thy peace;

            where there is hatred, let me sow love;

            where there is injury, pardon;

            where there is doubt faith;

            where there is despair, hope;

            where there is darkness, light;

            and where there is sadness, joy.

 

            O Divine Master,

            grant that I may not so much seek

            to be consoled as to console;

            to be understood, as to understand;

            to be loved, as to love;

            for it is in giving that we receive,

            it is in pardoning that we are pardoned,

            and it is in dying that we are born to eternal life.

            Amen.

 
 

Bishop Peggy Johnson