September 11: A Day for Healing

9-1-1 (or 9/11). For years, those numbers simply meant a call for help. Now they also remind us of September 11, 2001, the date of the worst terrorist attack on the United States of America and one of the deadliest days ever on American soil. We prayerfully recall those events today and pray for continued healing in our nation and in our world.

Humor might be the last thing we think about on this 25^th anniversary of the tragic events of September 11, 2001. But Jesus was, indeed, humorous – although his humor sometimes goes well over our heads. Imagine Jesus, though, making the comparison of someone with a beam in his eyes removing a splinter in another’s eyes! That would be a good theme for cartoon artists. The image reveals how easily we become experts in others’ weaknesses while remaining strangers to our own.

Removing the beam in our own eyes requires honest prayer, a regular examination of conscience, feedback, and a willingness to repent. It requires receiving God’s mercy, because we can face our failures only when we know they do not cancel our goodness in God’s eyes. Having been forgiven, we can become kinder, more compassionate, and gentler healers. Will we?