Pastor Speaks
September 11, 2003
It has been two years since that tragic day on September 11th
when the Twin Towers in New York were destroyed and a portion of
the Pentagon was damaged. The loss of life, not to mention
material things and property, was catastrophic. As a nation we
have been grieving for those families whose loved ones died as a
result of radical terrorists. Since that time our nation and
others have been on a campaign to eliminate terrorism from the
face of the earth.
The event affected the entire nation and our need to mourn was
both corporate and personal for millions of people. Employees of
entire companies died in the tragedy. Countless corporations and
local communities were devastated over the numbers of friends and
co-workers who lost their lives that fateful day in September.
Fire departments, police departments, the military, churches, the
airlines, and government municipalities were also impacted by the
loss of their respective members.
Since the normal grieving process takes about 24 months it could
be said that it is time to move on, to let go of the past and
move forward. Some will never be able to do that. Others have
already returned to life as usual, having made adjustments having
resolved that their loved ones will never be coming back. Most
all of us will never forget and many are still struggling. Total
resolve seems impossible just as it was for those of us who were
alive when President John F. Kennedy was assassinated. I still
remember where I was the moment the word hit the airwaves just as
most everyone remembers where they were on the morning of
September 11th.
When the story of 9/11 surfaces many don’t want to talk
about it. It is too painful, too irrational, too upsetting to
discuss. It is easier to talk about our efforts on the war
against terrorism, especially the overthrow of the regime of
Sadaam Hussein, because that equates to victory, a win not a
loss.
In the last two years many of you have suffered from the death of
someone you know. Some of you have lost your jobs. Some of you
have relocated or moved into a new home. Some of you have
suffered setbacks from health problems. Many have been affected
by emotional stress because of divorce, a family crisis or the
end of a relationship. Grief is everywhere, at home, at school,
in our places of work, yes, even in the church. Not only do we
have the memories of 9/11, we have our own personal losses which
have intensified our need to grieve.
As one who has worked with grieving persons for several decades I
would like to share a few practical things that can help you with
your grief and/or personal loss. First, talk about them. Stuffing
feelings is detrimental to your health. Personal sharing will
enable you to move forward. Just remember that the person you
talk with has their own grief and unresolved issues to deal with
as well.
Secondly, life is a paradox. While death separates us from those
we love, it also brings those of us who remain, closer to one
another. Death is sad, death is painful. On the other hand it is
a gateway to freedom as suffering has ended (for the one who
died). They no longer have to live in a chaotic world which is
full of irrational human beings and much unfairness.
Third, death shakes us up and creates short term chaos. Most
everyone is bewildered for a time following death and it takes
time to return to a state of normal functioning. That’s
difficult to do since we live in a society where everyone is in a
hurry and people are terribly impatient. Ironically, death also
opens new doors and presents us with opportunities for change and
newness. Rather than fear the future we need to embrace it.
Finally, death does not have the last word. It is instead a
transition into a new phase of life. That of course is a mystery,
but the promise of everlasting life exists for those who make
love the primary attribute of living.
The Sunday after 9/11 most every church experienced an increase
in attendance. People were fearful and needed hope and assurance
to survive. Unfortunately many of those folks who appeared in
worship have returned to their normal patterns of not worshipping
on Sunday mornings. I guess they’ll wait until the next
crisis before they return to the Church. In the meantime God will
be grieving over their absence.
Recently my grandchildren’s dog died and for them this was a
very sad time. I didn’t have any words of wisdom for them,
nor could I promise them that their dog would go to heaven. What
they needed from me was love and assurance so that’s what I
have. I believe that is what everyone needs, not only at the time
of death, but in the weeks and years to follow, if not every day
of our lives.
The following words are a quote from my sermon on the Sunday
following September 11, 2001: "The same God who watched in
horror as the world crucified God’s son, resurrected him
from the grave. The same God who seemed no where to be found on
September 11th will raise life from the ashes in Manhattan and
Washington D.C. God always comes through. God never leaves, it is
we who leave God, creating false gods to worship rather than the
one true God of the universe."
Dr. Keith Wagner
St. Paul’s United Church of Christ
Sidney, Ohio