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 September 2001
Teaching from the Horror?
Will we have the courage to teach Christian love
amidst the terror of Washington and New York?
Now we know, I thought, as I stood among
the 500 or more people praying at noon in Mount Saint Mary's Chapel of the
Immaculate Conception yesterday. Father Ray Harris read the lengthy list of loved ones in New York and
Washington that those gathered at Mass
were worried about. I felt the horror, helplessness, and anger. Now we
know what so many people around the world feel every day. Families in the
Middle East live every day with the fear that the world around them might
crumble due to wanton violence. They know the rage of losing family
members or close friends to acts of terror. And now...we know.
As I watched the terrible spectacle unfold
via television, I could imagine how jubilant the planners of these attacks
were. I could imagine their joy as the two World Trade towers crumbled, as
smoke billowed from the gaping hole in the Pentagon. I certainly don't have any
great feelings of forgiveness and love towards those who did this. This
horror cries out for vengeance and massive retaliation. I am certain that
I am not alone in feeling this way, as I experience the conflict
between the cry for revenge and the way of Jesus that I have learned and
tried to practice these thirty-nine years.
What will we do about it?
We are Catholic educators, raised in the principles of "love your
enemies" and "turn the other cheek". In these events, we
have experienced the faceless hate of our enemies. How will we respond? As
children, youth, families, and adults in our parishes and schools turn to us for help, what will we say? What will we teach
from this experience?
I believe, Lord; help my unbelief.
Chris Weber
Director
Catholic Education Ministries of Central Maryland.
Copyright © 2001 by the Catholic Education
Ministries Center of Central Maryland, Emmitsburg, MD 21727. All rights reserved.
Comments about this
article? Great ideas that you want to share? Send me your remarks via Email...
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I am certain
that I am not alone in feeling this way, as I experience the
conflict between the cry for revenge and the way of Jesus that I have
learned and tried to practice...
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