Twenty years ago, this weekend, we all witnessed a devastating cascade of suffering as the Twin Towers collapsed. My cousin was there that day. And while we don’t know the full story, we do know that he was up there as part of his work as a Secret Service agent to do work ahead of a visit by the President in the upcoming weeks. Craig had left his hotel room in the towers to get some breakfast when the first plane hit. We are told he then rushed back toward the towers to assist in rescue.
He didn’t make it out. I often wonder who did because of his acts, his works of faith. It was an instant moment of love and care for others that mobilized his courage and his sacrifice. The Lord God opened his ears, and he did not turn back. And he was one of thousands of people who acted in courage and care for others that day and in the days, months even years after in the healing and rebuilding efforts from that awful day.
Let us follow their lead during our cascading sufferings in the world today. God was powerfully present, faith alive in works of compassion in the face of suffering. Healing, rebuilding is the power of love. That is why Jesus rebuked Satan, not Peter. When Peter, discerning God’s voice, acts out of love, free from fear, good things evolve. Acts of selfless love are bold and courageous. Taking up the cross is brave and transformative. It is these acts when illusions collapse, and suffering is embraced that save us.
Image source: https://www.familysearch.org/en/blog/remembering-911-memorial
Quotation source
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