Twenty-five years ago today, our nation experienced one of the darkest days in its history. Most of us who were old enough to remember September 11, 2001, can still tell you where we were when we first heard the news. We remember the images from New York, Washington, and Pennsylvania. We remember the confusion of those first few hours, the terrible realization of what happened, and the thousands of lives lost.

But I also remember what happened afterward. People prayed. Churches opened their doors. Strangers helped strangers. First responders ran toward danger while others were running away from it. For a brief time, many of the divisions that seemed so important on September 10 suddenly didn’t seem quite so important anymore.

Next month, I’ll have the privilege of traveling to Gander, Newfoundland, where I’ll be speaking at an Anglican church and visiting a place that became part of the story of September 11 in a remarkable way. When American airspace was closed that morning, dozens of airplanes carrying thousands of passengers were diverted to Gander and other communities in Newfoundland. Suddenly, ordinary people found themselves responsible for thousands of strangers who had nowhere else to go. They opened schools, churches, community centers, and their own homes. They provided meals, clothing, beds, showers, transportation, and friendship to frightened people from around the world.

I have thought a great deal about that as this anniversary approached. September 11 showed us something about the reality of evil, but Gander, and countless other acts of courage and mercy that followed the attacks, showed us something else. In moments of fear and suffering, we have a choice about how we’ll respond to one another.

So today, I hope you’ll join me in remembering those who died on September 11, 2001, and those whose lives were forever changed by what happened that day. Let us remember the firefighters, police officers, emergency workers, military personnel, clergy, volunteers, and ordinary citizens who served others at great personal cost.

 And let us pray for our nation:

Lord God, by your providence our founders won their liberties of old: Grant that we and all the people of this land may have grace to exercise these liberties in righteousness and peace; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

In Christ,

Canon Mark