At 8:45 a.m., our social studies chair came into my office at Salesianum School in Wilmington, Del., to let me know that a plane had gone into the North Tower of the World Trade Center. Just 18 minutes later, he returned to tell me another plane exploded into the South Tower, and we were under attack. I met quickly with the other administrators and addressed the school community using the PA system. I explained what just transpired, led the school in prayer and suggested that students and teachers turn on the television and witness a very sad and unprecedented moment in our history.
As the day unfolded, we learned about the attack on the Pentagon and the failed attempt to take down the Capitol Building due to the bravery of a few men who, by this time, had known that we were under attack. Films since revealed that they selected a secluded place when rushing the cockpit, to save others’ lives. “No greater love has one than to lay down his life for one’s friends.” (John 15:13)
National Geographic released a six-episode series called “9/11: One Day in America.” In the first episode, on seeing the plane go into the South Tower, an eyewitness exclaims, “There is no God.” Many may have uttered the same sentiment, but we know this not to be true. God was on full display in the various firemen, police, first responders and thousands of volunteers who risked everything to save lives. God was present in all those phone calls made on the planes with the same message of love to their spouses, parents and relatives. God was present in the thousands of volunteers who immediately raced to the scene offering their service. God was in the various churches, restaurants and businesses that opened their doors to triage people, to feed them or to act as temporary morgues. The response was overwhelming and attested to goodness and love winning the day.
If God is all good and all that God created is good, how does something like 9/11 happen? Of all that God created, the only thing God wants back is us. God could have made us automatons where we move like robots with no option but to obey him. But love is a choice. God gives us the freedom to reject this invitation to a relationship. We call this free will.
Theologically, we say that evil does not exist for God brings all things into existence. To create evil would be a contradiction to who God is. What we call evil is good corrupted, distorted or twisted. What could possibly be the good distorted in such a tragedy whose memory still tears us apart on this the 20th anniversary?
Some may conjecture that in attempting to take down the financial center of America, al-Qaeda was trying to even the power imbalance in the world or to address a problem of greed that they perceived to dominate the USA. Other reasons may be raised, and my explanation may not satisfy you. In no way is it meant to excuse away this most horrific violence and show of hatred. What 9/11 teaches me is how far some are from understanding who God is and our inability to use well and correctly the gift of free will to love, to choose God, to fall madly in love with God – that with God as our center, our being, our everything, only good can issue forth.
Hatred along with evil was present before 9/11 and sadly since. It will continue until we have a deep, personal relationship with Jesus Christ. Until he becomes the true center of our life, not much is going to change. It’s a conviction of the mind and heart that God desires to be in a relationship with us. There are too many other heartaches and tragedies that come from the imperfection of nature (floods, fires, devastating hurricanes and earthquakes, diseases, physical ailments and infirmities) that cause such sorrow and loss that are above our control to contain or prevent, why do we spread hatred and evil which we can control and contain?
On this anniversary of 9/11 and considering other recent tragedies, let us resolve again and renew our fervor in following the greatest commandment of loving our God with our whole heart, mind and soul (and our neighbor as well). Let us not forget that we belong to each other. May God Bless America and each one of us.
Father John Fisher, OSFS, is rector of the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception, Camden. He served as a teacher and principal in Salesianum School, the Oblates’ high school for boys.
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