The scripture readings for today can be found at https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/091120.cfm
On this date, September 11, in the year 2001, we lived
through the most horrible event of our lives. The terrorist attacks on the
United States. Here in New York, thousands of people died at the World Trade
Center because of this most terrible event. It is a day that none of us will
ever forget.
One hero that stands out during that day is Fr. Mychal
Judge, a Franciscan friar who was also a chaplain for the Fire Dept. of New
York. That day he rushed down to the World Trade Center from his home at St.
Francis of Assisi Church on West 31Street to bring comfort to those who were
suffering, hurt, and dying. Not caring for his own safety, he rushed to the
World Trade Center to give last rites to those who were in most need of the
presence of God’s healing. He was there to preach the Gospel of Jesus Christ to
the victims and firefighters at the World Trade Center, not with words, but
with his presence.
While administering the Sacrament of the Sick, Fr.
Judge was struck in the head by debris from the buildings and died instantly.
He was heard all throughout the day praying aloud, "Jesus, please end this right now! God, please
end this!" You may have seen a photograph of the firefighters carrying his
body from the wreckage to St. Peter’s Church that is just a block from the
World Trade Center. This image of Fr. Judge being carried into St. Peter’s is
an image of loving service and a message of hope during a time of fear. Fr.
Judge knew well the words that St. Paul spoke, “All this I do for the sake of the Gospel, so that I too may have a share in it.”
Fr. Judge joined the
Franciscans at the age of 15, and all throughout his ministry as priest and
friar, he followed the call of Jesus Christ by ministering to the poor and
homeless, alcoholics, those with AIDS, and those alienated from society. He was
called to see Christ in all people he ministered to.
We, too, are called to
be of service to others as Fr. Judge was. Like him, we need to see the face of
Christ in all those that God has placed in our lives, whether they are family, friends,
or those we encounter during the day. We are to be a loving presence of Christ
to others as Fr. Judge was to those in his life. In doing so, we offer the
Gospel free of charge to all who we meet in our day to day existence.
Lord Jesus, help us to
bring your love and peace to a world full of anguish and pain. Amen.
The terrible evil of the Muslim terrorist attack brought out the best in many Americans. We honor the memory of Father Mychal Judge, who heroically rushed to minister to the dying & died in the service of God & His people. We honor the heroism of the many First Responders who worked heroically & tirelessly to rescue those still living & find the bodies of the dead: members of the FDNY, NYPD, EMT workers & sanitation workers. Many perished on site. Still others died years later from complications, usually in the form of cancer, among whom was a fire chief from Elmhurst who was the husband of my former formation director at St. Adalbert's Secular Franciscan fraternity. Many unsung heroes who gave their time, efforts, energy & the best they good, some who have died, some who are suffering & some who are survivors.
ReplyDeleteThat tragic day also brought out the best in many "ordinary" Americans who exhibited love of neighbor & a united spirit of camaraderie, compassion & concern. Strangers joined hands & walked together across bridges. Drivers who piled strangers into their cars so all could arrive safely home. And Americans remembered the source of our strength in prayer, gathering at our local churches, synagogues & temples & even holding a televised interfaith prayer service. American flags appeared everywhere, along with the slogans GOD BLESS AMERICA & UNITED WE STAND. Lee Greenwood's song GOD BLESS THE USA got a lot of airplay & was sung in schools & churches.
In contrast, America is now being besieged by domestic terrorists who are rioting, looting, setting fires, committing vandalism, killing, spreading hatred for our country & its heritage. We are experiencing a time of great division. The spirit of many Americans today is in sharp contrast to the spirit prevalent in response to the attacks of foreign terrorists on 9/11, 19 years ago.
We pray that we will never have to experience another attack from foreign terrorists & we pray that God will help put an end to the domestic terrorist attacks of BLM & ANTIFA & others & to the fires raging in California, Oregon & the state of Washington, which might be partially due to arson perpetrated by domestic terrorists. We pray that the chants of "Death to America" will be replaced by singing GOD BLESS AMERICA & GOD BLESS THE USA as we remember the tragedy that brought out the best in Americans, & let us he reminded that UNITED WE STAND. Let us once again turn to God, Who is the healer of our wounds & the healer of division. Let us once again strive to be ONE NATION UNDER GOD, INDIVISIBLE, WITH LIBERTY & JUSTICE FOR ALL.
From my friend Nilda:
ReplyDeleteDeacon Tom,
I am delighted that you related the event of Fr. Judge’s spontaneous response to attend to the ‘spiritual’ aid of the victims and firefighters at the World Trade Center on that infamous day of 19 years ago, September 11. 2001. His action was not simply a courageous and gallant act on his part, but he understood very well the meaning of today’s scripture reading, (1 COR 9:16-19, 22B-27), and what he vowed to live as a pastor and servant of God:
“If I preach the Gospel, this is no reason for me to boast,
for an obligation has been imposed on me,
and woe to me if I do not preach it!”
He lived this obligation on that day, and as a result, he lost his own life, as you sadly stated on this tragedy:
“While administering the Sacrament of the Sick, Fr. Judge was struck in the head by debris from the buildings and died instantly.”
Fr. Judge had a choice to make on that day, whether to stay home and watch this horrible event LIVE on tv, (as many of us did), or rush out to the location to be at the disposal of the suffering victims, by administering the Sacrament of the Sick. But as one who accepted the Lord’s call and as a devout follower of his vocation, he followed St. Paul’s words which he carried in his heart as a shepherd of God:
“Although I am free in regard to all,
I have made myself a slave to all
so as to win over as many as possible.
I have become all things to all, to save at least some.
All this I do for the sake of the Gospel,
so that I too may have a share in it.”
But, as you wisely pointed out:
“We, too, are called to be of service to others as Fr. Judge was. Like him, we need to see the face of Christ in all those that God has placed in our lives, whether they are family, friends, or those we encounter during the day. We are to be a loving presence of Christ to others as Fr. Judge was to those in his life. In doing so, we offer the Gospel free of charge to all who we meet in our day to day existence.”
I agree with you, and I must point out that LOVE does not have a price. However, He demands our love in return, our faithfulness and our belief in Him if we expect to be accepted into His Heavenly Kingdom, in the after life. Therefore, we are to keep our allegiance and obedience to the Word of God, because by His Holy Cross He has redeemed us from our sins, and made us heirs and children of God, the Almighty, who has loved us first, and continuous to love us, for all eternity.
Joy and Blessings in Christ,
Nilda V., OCDS
Inspiring reflection
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