I am writing this article on Sept. 11, and like many Americans, my thoughts and prayers are focused on the sudden attacks on the World Trade Center and the Pentagon. Over 3,000 people died that morning, many more were wounded, and we still live in the darkening shadows of that event.
Thirteen years later, we are still comparing that attack to the attack on Pearl Harbor on Dec. 7, 1941. There are similarities, but there are also striking differences. I sense our 9-11 wounds continue to fester, whereas those earlier wounds appear to have quickly healed. The spiritual healing from 9-11 still challenges us, as does the truth that the dark plan of Osama Bin Laden is still working. It is a documented fact that an average of 20 veterans a day, or 7,300 a year, are committing suicide.
One of the most telling comments by a veteran of multiple tours in Iraq and Afghanistan last night after the president's speech on ISIL -- their self-identification -- was that when the president and Congress attack ISIL and other terrorist groups, plans for additional Veterans Affairs spending must also be a factor.
What can we do to stop the hate? Unlike World War II, we have turned 9-11 into an opportunity to attack terrorists, and each other, with the same intensity. We act in unthinkable ways, and in my view have totally forgotten what our ancestors knew: treason -- aiding and abetting the enemy by words and deeds -- was unAmerican. Again it is documented that Osama Bin Laden gloated over his success to turn Americans against Americans, and quoted from our radio program and television "commentators."
Where does the common American begin reversing the hate in our land? I believe we begin with Romans 13:14,"Let us put on Christ." Julian of Norwich also reminded us, "Our courteous Lord is closer to us than our clothing."
For me, this means getting up every morning and asking for God's forgiveness for my sins, then intentionally trying to live my day as the forgiven by seeking to do those things God needs me to do in His name. Hating for political, social, ethnic or any other reason is simply not Christ's calling. Holding some accountable for premeditated murder, such as ISIL, is a responsibility, and it is also my responsibility to support those who will be called upon to bring them to justice.
My personal image on this 13th anniversary of 9-11 is that of a wind-free lake. When I throw a pebble into the water, it will make rings, and those rings get big and bigger. When we can live every day by putting Christ first and living as the forgiven, we become more and more gracious. We will become more and more patient and accepting of others. We will become more loving.
We all know that decisions made in love are truly of God and are longer lasting than those laced with hate. Put on Christ and put on our nation -- the "'tis of thee" one.
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Parks is rector of St. Theodore's Episcopal Church in Bella Vista. He can be reached by email to [email protected]. The opinions expressed in this column don't necessarily reflect the views of the newspaper.
Religion on 09/17/2014