For those who are enrolled in grammar school, high school, and even college, were not born or were old enough to remember September 11, 2001. For those who are older, it is hard to imagine that twenty years have passed since that day. Many, if not all of us, remember the details of that day with all the fear, horror, and tragedy that came with it.
With all of the evil that was visibly apparent, there was something else that was also present which is far greater than evil. What was present was charity. Where sin increased, grace abounded all the more. The love and support that people had for each other was evident. During that day, and the weeks and months that followed, it seemed that New York was the most charitable place in the world.
I remember not long after that days images came out of two medal beams that were standing among the wreckage of the World Trade Center. These two beams had the form of a cross that was standing upright. To me it was the sign of our salvation. That cross was a sign that Christ was truly suffering with us and that we were not alone in our pain.
Twenty years later, we still remember the pain of that day, especially those who lost loved ones. That day will stay with us for the rest of our life. For as Christians we have the hope of the Resurrection, the supreme gift of Eternal Life with God.
Not long after Jesus ascended to Heaven, one can only wonder how much the Blessed Virgin Mary missed her Son. I am sure she wept when she thought of His passion even though she knew that He was in Heaven. Her tears of hope and joy, knowing that she would be again with Her son in Heaven, were far greater than her tears of sorrow.
Twenty years later we remember. With our Lady, let us place our hope in the Resurrection.
In Jesus and Mary,
Fr. Jeff Yildirmaz
