Commentary on 9-11: America's Moment of Solidarity

"Comfort and console us, strengthen us in hope, and give us the wisdom and courage to work tirelessly for a world where true peace and love reign among nations and in the hearts of all." Pope Benedict at Ground Zero, April 20, 2008

WASHINGTON (Catholic Online) - Most of us remember where we were on September 11, 2001. Televisions across our nation were riveted on one spectacle - the attacks on the World Trade Center in New York and the Pentagon in Washington.

We watched, in shock, as pictures of men and women falling from buildings, others rushing from the collapsing rubble, and billowing clouds of debris filled the screen. The World Trade Center was first. Then reports of the Pentagon started flowing in, followed by the horror story that took place aboard United Flight 93.

This was a first for America. We never thought another nation would actually attack on our soil. Wars were for other places and other people. We fought for them, or their land. Yet, here we were... watching our friends and neighbors killed for being just what we were - American citizens.

For those of us living in northern Virginia, the reports took on a personal dimension as we waited to hear about friends and loved ones who worked in the five-sided building in Arlington. Located just north of Dulles International Airport and being a frequent traveler, my personal shock reached its peak when we learned that the ill-fated plane had departed from Dulles. This plane was from "my carrier" and my airport. The news took on a more personal import.

Following the attacks, America became quiet. The noise of the jets taking off and landing from nearby Dulles was gone; the skies had become silent with the exception of a rare high-altitude military fighter overhead.

Our conversations seemed more subdued and everyone was talking about one thing. We seemed nicer, more patient, more compassionate, and even a bit less rushed. In a sense, what seemed vital the day before became voluntary in the face of this great tragedy.

We had arrived at a unique moment in time... America in solidarity.

News commentators shed their partisan clothing and spoke to the country as citizens. Some shed tears, others ashamedly prayed, all of them treated former political friends and foes with respect and honor as everyone shared their mutual dismay at this aggression.

Policemen and firemen were greeted warmly in the marketplace. People just wanted them to know that were appreciated for just being there, for doing their jobs.

And, for a few weeks at least, more of us went to church!

As adaptive human beings, however, it didn't take long for us to return to business as usual. Some changes did come with increased rigor in travel regulations, establishment of the Department of Homeland Security, and a declared War on Terror. Other things returned to the status quo... including our attendance in worship.

We now remember 9-11 in a time of post-solidarity. The War in Iraq has polarized a country, skewed the focus on terrorism, and left many in the military scratching their heads, wondering how some Americans feel about them. Recently we watched as a few groups, in a loud roar proclaimed what they were against, yet had no idea to whom they were speaking or what solutions need to be implemented.

The importance of life, so emphasized in the aftermath of attack, was later overshadowed once more by the culture of death. The specter of Terry Schiavo's execution by starvation and other such incidents took over the news headlines. In fact, some of the same commentators who had celebrated life after 9-11, now nudged America's conscience to call for death.

From the past seven years of remembrance we must learn that solidarity cannot be established on the basis of a common enemy alone. We only can find that kind of solidarity from a place of embrace - an embrace of one another as persons "from womb to tomb," as they say. This personhood, as we see in our Declaration of Independence, is the foundation upon which we can build in strength, celebrating our inalienable rights of life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness.

As a country we are involved in a struggle that is more than just global, it is cosmic. Our struggle is not merely against flesh and blood, but against principalities and powers, as we see in Holy Scripture. While we can argue that the basis of our conflicts is founded in ideology, we must never forget that, for the most part, this is also a struggle in theology.

As Catholic Christians, in the midst of it all, we can still find our solidarity through our Faith, our Sacraments, and our Ministry to the world. We can celebrate the Church, who constantly reminds us of those things of supreme importance and those things which exist for the common good.

Today, let us remember the prayer of our Holy Father at Ground Zero during his papal visit. On April 20, 2008 he prayed:

"O God of love, compassion, and healing, look on us, people of many different faiths and traditions, who gather today at this site, the scene of incredible violence and pain.

"We ask you in your goodness to give eternal light and peace to all who died here-
the heroic first-responders: our fire fighters, police officers, emergency service workers, and Port Authority personnel, along with all the innocent men and women who were victims of this tragedy simply because their work or service brought them here on September 11, 2001.

"We ask you, in your compassion to bring healing to those who, because of their presence here that day, suffer from injuries and illness. Heal, too, the pain of still-grieving families and all who lost loved ones in this tragedy. Give them strength to continue their lives with courage and hope.

"We are mindful as well of those who suffered death, injury, and loss on the same day at the Pentagon and in Shanksville, Pennsylvania. Our hearts are one with theirs as our prayer embraces their pain and suffering.

"God of peace, bring your peace to our violent world: peace in the hearts of all men and women and peace among the nations of the earth. Turn to your way of love those whose hearts and minds are consumed with hatred.

"God of understanding, overwhelmed by the magnitude of this tragedy, we seek your light and guidance as we confront such terrible events. Grant that those whose lives were spared may live so that the lives lost here may not have been lost in vain. Comfort and console us, strengthen us in hope, and give us the wisdom and courage to work tirelessly for a world where true peace and love reign among nations and in the hearts of all."

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