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Wednesday, September 12, 2001
Most of us will long remember where we were yesterday when we received word of the terrible acts that brought so much death to New York City, Washington, D.C., and Somerset County.
Some actions are so horrendous that they outstrip our vocabulary's ability to express them. Yet, our memory holds the moment forever in high profile.
Yesterday, I was in our nation's capitol together with 50 other bishops from around the United States as the administrative committee of our conference of bishops met in preparation for our annual November general assembly. At a certain point, the meeting was interrupted as we were informed of the first plane crash into the World Trade center. In succession came the news of the other tower and then the Pentagon as targets of terrorist action. Finally, came the word of the plane crash and loss of life in Somerset County.
We adjourned and did what the church does in moments such as this -- the only thing the Church can do. We prayed. We walked from our conference building to the National Shrine where the Archbishop of Washingon led us in the celebration of the Eucharist.
Yesterday, at this altar, Bishop David Zubik, our diocesan general secretary and vicar general, led this congregation in prayer as well.
Today, all over this diocese, parish communities are gathering to join in the holy sacrifice of the Mass for all the victims of yesterday's tragedies, for peace and an end to all violence.
At the table of the Lord, we find solidarity. In the words of the Lord, read yesterday and today, we find guidance.
The readings we have just listened to are the readings for the day -- heard in Catholic churches all over the world. They are a reminder of the enormous conflict that goes on every day in every heart -- the conflict between good and evil -- the conflict between light and darkness -- the conflict between hatred and love.
This morning, I listened as government officials and commentators in the media spoke about the origins of theses terrorist attacks and these violent acts against innocent life. Almost all of the discussion focused on who was responsible and where they might be found. This is a legitimate discussion because we are dealing with an attack not only against our nation, but against the very principles on which it rests.
But there is another response to the question: "What is the origin of this attack?"
All violent acts of injustice, acts of destruction and the taking of innocent life find their origin in the attitudes of the human heart. Evil dwells within.
The great cosmic struggle between good and evil, between light and darkness, between peace and war, between violence and harmony, between hatred and love, begins first in each human heart; is waged there and on its outcome depends true peace.
The Beatitudes draw the demanding picture that Jesus set before us of a world of peacemakers and those who hunger and thirst for holiness, justice, mercy, compassion and consolation. To the extent that each one of us participates in that effort, to that extent, is there just a little bit more light, peace, harmony and love in the world.
The second reading, Paul's letter to the Colossians, reminds us to "put to death whatever in your nature is rooted in earth . . ."
We are to live in solidarity with one another recognizing that only if we put on the "new person" -- this new man -- this new woman in Christ -- is there any hope for peace.
Justice will be served. Violence must be eliminated and those who perpetrate it must be sought out and brought to justice. All of this remains beyond you and me.
What does not remain outside us, and what we can do, is renew our own personal commitment to bring that peace into our world, our community, our families, our lives. That commitment is rooted in God's plan and in that justice to which all of us are called.
Light can win out over darkness. Truth will triumph over falsehood. Love does conquer hatred. What is needed is the commitment, from all of us, to that basic human solidarity that banishes all those things that are the source of division: ethnic and racial bias, religious bigotry and political opportunism.
Today, we pray for all of those who are a part of our human family who died in those tragic and horrible acts of violence. We invoke God's consolation and comfort on their families, their friends and on this whole nation. And we ask God to give all of us the strength to walk in the light of the Beatitudes and be true agents of justice and peace.