...And to the Greater Glory of God...
Was it really seven years ago? Has that much time passed since I heard Mrs. Parker's voice break through the intercoms at school and tell us that America was attacked, and the World Trade Center was on fire?
I remember the fear on my psychology teacher's face. Her husband was on his way home or to a business trip and was on a plane somewhere. She didn't know if he was alright or not. It was a scary day. When I think back over the sadness, and the fear, and the pain from those who had lost loved ones, it somewhat overwhelms me.
This spring I went to Ground Zero. I saw the crater left behind by the WTC. I sat and prayed in St. Paul's Chapel. I cried as I walked around the Church's perimeter and looked over the displays that were set up to show what the church looked like when it was used as a relief center for the volunteers. I prayed over the pictures of the missing, and for the families who had to bear that pain and sadness. And then I left the chapel, passing the Bell of Hope, forged in adversity and given by Archbishop of Canterbury, England.
Today they will ring the Bell of Hope. It will sound for victims of hatred and terror; it will sound for the families of those left behind; it will sound for the workers who struggled to rescue anyone left alive, and recover the dead; it will sound to the undying hope in the hearts of humanity, not just in New York on September 11, 2001, but to all the lost in terror all over the world...And that bell will sound to the Greater Glory of God. To whatever god you worship or however you define god.
The church's new liturgy is the prayers for peace. Brochure's can be found all over the Chapel. They offer prayers for peace from many of the major religions of the earth. It is beautiful in its simplicity, and tremendous how an act of terror, and the tragic loss of life can have the effect of making people realize that we are not divided by languages and religions, nor by skin or lifestyles. We are defined as a race, and as one whole with many different and beautiful parts.
May we never forget September 11, 2001. May we always remember the day when terror failed and strengthened the bonds between people of all races and religions. For no matter what our walk of life, or where the roads lead, in the end they are all connected.
...And to the Greater Glory of God...
I remember the fear on my psychology teacher's face. Her husband was on his way home or to a business trip and was on a plane somewhere. She didn't know if he was alright or not. It was a scary day. When I think back over the sadness, and the fear, and the pain from those who had lost loved ones, it somewhat overwhelms me.
This spring I went to Ground Zero. I saw the crater left behind by the WTC. I sat and prayed in St. Paul's Chapel. I cried as I walked around the Church's perimeter and looked over the displays that were set up to show what the church looked like when it was used as a relief center for the volunteers. I prayed over the pictures of the missing, and for the families who had to bear that pain and sadness. And then I left the chapel, passing the Bell of Hope, forged in adversity and given by Archbishop of Canterbury, England.
Today they will ring the Bell of Hope. It will sound for victims of hatred and terror; it will sound for the families of those left behind; it will sound for the workers who struggled to rescue anyone left alive, and recover the dead; it will sound to the undying hope in the hearts of humanity, not just in New York on September 11, 2001, but to all the lost in terror all over the world...And that bell will sound to the Greater Glory of God. To whatever god you worship or however you define god.
The church's new liturgy is the prayers for peace. Brochure's can be found all over the Chapel. They offer prayers for peace from many of the major religions of the earth. It is beautiful in its simplicity, and tremendous how an act of terror, and the tragic loss of life can have the effect of making people realize that we are not divided by languages and religions, nor by skin or lifestyles. We are defined as a race, and as one whole with many different and beautiful parts.
May we never forget September 11, 2001. May we always remember the day when terror failed and strengthened the bonds between people of all races and religions. For no matter what our walk of life, or where the roads lead, in the end they are all connected.
...And to the Greater Glory of God...