Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,
Twenty-five years ago this week, our nation experienced one of the darkest days in our history. September 11, 2001, changed our country and changed the lives of countless families forever. Twenty-five years later, we continue to remember the nearly 3,000 innocent people who lost their lives, the brave first responders who ran toward danger, and the many survivors and responders who have suffered from illnesses connected to that terrible day.
Over the years, I have had the privilege of celebrating funeral Masses for some of the men and women whose lives were taken not on September 11 itself, but in the years that followed because of illnesses connected to their heroic service that day. Every one of those funerals has reminded me that 9/11 is not simply history. It is still part of the lives of families, first responders and survivors.
But those funerals have also reminded me of something else: evil does not get the final word.
St. Paul tells us, “Do not be conquered by evil but conquer evil with good” (Romans 12:21). I believe these words give us an important way to remember 9/11 as Christians.
We should never forget the evil that was committed that day. We should never minimize it or pretend that it did not happen. But neither should we allow the evil of that day to continue conquering us through hatred, bitterness, fear or despair. We honor those who died and those who sacrificed themselves by choosing a different path.
And we know that path because we know Jesus Christ.
The greatest example of conquering evil with good is found on the Cross. Jesus was betrayed, mocked, tortured and crucified. Yet He did not respond to hatred with hatred. From the Cross, He prayed for those who were killing Him: “Father, forgive them, they know not what they do” (Luke 23:34).
The Cross seemed to be the victory of evil. But three days later, the Resurrection revealed the truth. Evil did not have the final word. Love did.
That is the hope we bring to our remembrance of September 11.
Twenty-five years later, we remember. We mourn. We honor. We pray. But as Christians, we must also refuse to be conquered by evil. In a world where hatred, violence and division still exist, we are called to answer with the goodness, mercy and love of Christ.
May God bless all those who lost their lives on September 11, 2001. May He comfort their families, strengthen the survivors, and grant eternal rest to the many heroes who have died in the years since. And may He give us the grace to live the words of St. Paul: “Do not be conquered by evil but conquer evil with good.”
Faithfully Yours in Christ,
Father Leo
P.S. This letter was inspired by the images and words of one of the stained glass windows on the west side of our church. It is the only stained glass window that I know of that depicts 9/11: a plane about to collide with the Twin Towers. If you have never noticed this window before, I invite you to take a look the next time you are in the church.
