All good gifts come from your hand, Lord,
and into our clumsy grasp
you entrust the precious realities
of creation, of life, justice and peace…
We remember this day
how fragile are your gifts
and how vulnerable are we
in each other’s hands…
We remember those who died
and those who mourn their loss…
We remember those whose courage
gave us a new standard for bravery…
We remember those who gave their lives
in their selfless efforts to save others…
We remember that day, that sunny morning
when the borders of our nation
were broken through
and into the depths of our hearts…
And we remember
all that we have learned
and how little we have learned
and how much we’ve yet to learn
since that morning, 22 years ago today…
We remember, Lord, and we pray
for the healing and peace
that only you can give,
that you call us to share…
Bring us to that day, O God,
when war is but a memory
and peace will be our victory,
when our harvest wlll be justice
and all will live as one…
Amen.
Amen.
Rev. Carl P. Daw, Jr. wrote this hymn (Hope Publishing) to commemorate the terrorist attack on the World Trade Center towers and the Pentagon, September 11, 2001.
When sudden terror tears apart the world we thought was ours, we find how fragile strength can be, how limited our powers. As tower and fortress fall, we watch with disbelieving stare and numbly hear the anguished cries that pierce the ash-filled air. Yet most of all we are aware of emptiness and void: of lives cut short, of structures razed, of confidence destroyed. From this abyss of doubt and fear we grope for words to pray, and hear our stammering tongues embrace a timeless Kyrie. Have mercy, Lord, give strength and peace, and make our courage great; restrain our urge to seek revenge, to turn our hurt to hate. Help us to know your steadfast love, your presence near as breath; rekindle in our hearts the hope of life that conquers death.
