O God of love, compassion, and healing,Some folks had wondered what the Pope might say about the Islamic terrorists and what they did on 9/11. The Pope's comments only obliquely deal with the terrorists who attacked the US on 9/11, but instead offer words that call for the terrorists to look away from violence. If anything, the words are meant to comfort and console those who survived the terrible toll inflicted on us on 9/11 and to use that experience to improve the situation around the world.
look on us, people of many different faiths and traditions,
who gather today at this site,
the scene of incredible violence and pain.
We ask you in your goodness
to give eternal light and peace
to all who died here-the heroic first-responders:
our fire fighters, police officers,
emergency service workers, and Port Authority personnel,
along with all the innocent men and women
who were victims of this tragedy
simply because their work or service
brought them here on September 11, 2001.
We ask you, in your compassion
to bring healing to those
who, because of their presence here that day,
suffer from injuries and illness.
Heal, too, the pain of still-grieving families
and all who lost loved ones in this tragedy.
Give them strength to continue their lives with courage and hope.
We are mindful as well
of those who suffered death, injury, and loss
on the same day at the Pentagon and in Shanksville, Pennsylvania.
Our hearts are one with theirs
as our prayer embraces their pain and suffering.
God of peace, bring your peace to our violent world:
peace in the hearts of all men and women
and peace among the nations of the earth.
Turn to your way of love
those whose hearts and minds
are consumed with hatred.
God of understanding,
overwhelmed by the magnitude of this tragedy,
we seek your light and guidance
as we confront such terrible events.
Grant that those whose lives were spared
may live so that the lives lost here
may not have been lost in vain.
Comfort and console us,
strengthen us in hope,
and give us the wisdom and courage
to work tirelessly for a world
where true peace and love reign
among nations and in the hearts of all.
It doesn't call for the US or anyone else to turn the other cheek, but rather work for a world where true peace and love reign. When confronting jihadis who seek only to force submission of Islam on the world and to kill as many people as possible, just war is appropriate.
However, the jihadis will ignore such calls for love and respect, and instead redouble their efforts to engage in mass casualty attacks.
No comments:
Post a Comment