This is the letter I wrote for the church's weekly email yesterday about the anniversary of the terrorist attacks on September 11th, 2001.

Dear Friends,

Twelve years ago our nation was rocked by a most horrific act of terrorism.  Not only did the events of September 11, 2001 stun and overwhelm us, they changed the way we look at the world and the way we look at ourselves.  Although many years have passed and many terrible things have happened, the moments when we witnessed the terrors of that day are lodged firmly in our mind’s eye.

By no means were the atrocities of September 11^th the end of human suffering or the final disturbing acts of terror.  Tragedies continue to this day, with the deaths of so many Syrians being our most recent reminder of the broken world in which we live.  But as I reflect today on the event of twelve years ago and on all of the difficult things we have faced, as a country and as individuals, I cannot help but think of the shortest verse in Scripture.  As Jesus approaches the tomb of his friend Lazarus, John 11:35 says simply, “Jesus wept.”  This is the image of God of which I’m reminded: the Christ who knows our pain and weeps with us all, who mourns our wounds and seeks to heal them. 

On this anniversary I encourage you to offer up the pains of the past, the fears of the present, and the hopes for the future to the God who loves, the Spirit who heals, and the Christ who weeps.

Peace,

Matt