An old Jewish legend describes what happened when God created humanity. The legend says God took into counsel the Angels that stood about His throne. The Angel of Justice said; “Create them not, for if you do, they will commit all kinds of wickedness against one another.” The Angel of Truth said, “Create them not, for they will be false and deceitful to their brothers and sisters and even to you.” The Angel of Holiness stood and said, “Create them not, for they will follow that which is impure in your sight and dishonor you to your face.” Then stepped forward the Angel of Mercy, God’s most beloved angel, and said, ‘Create them, Heavenly Father, for when they sin and turn from the path of right and truth and holiness, I will take them tenderly by the hand, speak loving words to them, and then lead them back to you.”
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Special note: “911” The years have gone by, but the memories remain for all who were involved in one way or another in that one single day: September 11, 2001. That day and its aftermath changed the lives of so many, throughout our nation and our world.
For years, the numbers 911 simply meant a call for help. Now they also remind us of that terrible and tragic day. One month later, in October of the same year, the United States Congress passed a joint resolution designating that every September 11th be observed as “Patriot Day.” The resolution requests that the people of the United States observe a moment of silence in honor of the individuals who lost their lives as a result of terrorist attacks. Eight years later, a presidential proclamation declared that Patriot Day is also a “National Day of Service.” The proclamation calls on Americans to “participate in community service in honor of those our Nation lost.” Be creative! Find a way to observe this important “memorial” day today.
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“I did not see the devil’s face at Ground Zero. I saw the face of God in the people working, caring, sweating, crying, rescuing, recovering and being very spiritual in their very humanness.”
-Franciscan Father Joseph Bayne, chief chaplain of New York’s Erie County Emergency Services
