This past Sunday was a momentous day in the world of sports. The NFL season kicked off with several games pitting quarterbacks against their former teams. Two games went into overtime. As the Major League Baseball season draws to a close, races for the pennant are becoming more exciting.
For the first time ever, at Flushing Meadows, a nineteen-year-old won the Men’s Championship in tennis, breathing new life into the sport. And if you aren’t into sports, the movie Barbarian topped the box office this past weekend.
News outlets were still covering the death of Queen Elizabeth and how her reign impacted the world. Before attending a church service, I searched for at least one documentary which commemorated September 11, 2001. I couldn’t locate one. On the way to church, I listened to President Biden’s address from the Pentagon, but other remembrances were absent. I was more than a little surprised that there were no programs being aired on this day.
I reached out to my niece after church. In 2001, she and her mom were living in New York City. She had interviewed for a position at the World Trade Center in late August, and was not offered the job. Her first day would’ve been September 10th. Shortly after the planes hit both towers, I was able to reach my sister and her daughter who shared they were alright. After that, we couldn’t get through for five days. Speaking about it 21 years later, brought back all the feelings we had on that Tuesday morning and the days that followed. I didn’t want the day to pass without honoring the victims and their families.
I discovered this Esquire article, written by Tom Junod on September 9, 2021. It is entitled The Falling Man: An unforgettable story. https://www.esquire.com/news-politics/a48031/the-falling-man-tom-junod/
I hope that, as painful as it is, we continue to share what happened on September 11, 2001. I attended a worship service which celebrated Communion, following a prayer for all those affected by the attacks on September 11. We told the story of our Lord’s sacrifice, that was in its own way a tragic event. On the night when He gave Himself up for us, Jesus was suffering. This was the last meal He would share with the disciples. Judas Iscariot was about to betray Him. The other disciples were going to hide and deny that they knew Him.
But out of that meal, came a new promise for all of us. In the midst of tragedy, there was also grace, joy and love. Each time we gather for Communion we celebrate the new covenant that was born on that night. Through worship, study, mission and ministry, may we continue to share the transforming story of our Lord and Savior. May we be blessed by what our Lord has done is doing and will do for our salvation. And Amen.