10 Year Anniversary

 Our household was not looking forward to this tenth anniversary.  The keeper has told us repeatedly how she was distressed by the nationalistic self-indulgence which has resulted from the tragic event. So she did not want to attend a liturgy today which glorified flag and country at the expense of the Gospel.  She did not want to sing patriotic songs.  She headed to the Cathedral hoping for something else.  She came home strangely quiet, yet very peaceful.  She told us they celebrated a most amazing liturgy--it was solemn, but deep and better than she could have ever imagined--it was a gentle soul searing.

People, at least the keeper, left that liturgy changed--the powerful music for the Mass for Peace, the absolutely incredible preaching on forgiveness and the requirement for a new way to proceed, the Eucharist itself, and the concluding blessing with candles lit throughout the church and everyone glued to their spots as the bells tolled on and on. Today's gathering treated the day with the sacredness and solemnity it deserved without the hysteria.

Yes, she believes we shouldn't forget...but most importantly we shouldn't forget who we are and how we are called to live..with a different kind of strength, compassion, and wisdom.