Fr. Ziliak, Courier article,
Saturday, Sept. 7, 2002
We have already heard many words and seen many images as we approach
the first year anniversary of the tragic and deeply moving events
of Sept. 11. I will not
attempt to capture the series of events in words. Rather, let me
share some words of prayer and faith in the face of this national
day of remembrance, so that we may move on to tomorrow.
"Almighty and faithful Creator, all things are of your making,
all people are shaped in your image. We now entrust all those who
died in the terrorist attacks of Sept. 11, 2001, to your goodness.
In your infinite wisdom and power, work in them your merciful purpose,
known to you alone from the beginning of time. Console the hearts
of those who love them in the hope that all who trust in you will
find peace and rest in your kingdom." (Prayers for the Dead)
We acknowledge in prayer
that we are all creatures of God. We are not God. We are not in
complete control of the events of our lives. We do recognize that
we are created in the image of God and thus contain the marks of
divinity within us. Much has been given to the peoples of this world
to steward in God's name.
We give over into the hands of God those who so quickly and without
warning lost their lives. We entrust to God's mercy and love those
who saw and realized what was happening. May their last moments
have been ones of peace and trust in a loving and inviting God.
We further acknowledge that God's ways are not the ways of humans.
God's thoughts and plans are not the thoughts and plans of humans.
We abdicate our control and place that humbly into the mind, heart
and hands of the Lord. We admit to a power higher than ourselves.
We know that evil and hurt surround us, but that it will be brought
low through the salvation of our Lord.
We firmly believe that those who love the Lord will find everlasting
peace and rest in that kingdom promised from of old, a kingdom of
joy, a kingdom of finality, a kingdom of fulfillment of all our
desires.
At the same time that we pray for those nearly 3,000 who lost
their lives in New York City, Washington D.C. and the fields of
Pennsylvania, we pray for their families, loved ones and friends,
and likewise pray for ourselves.
"Father of mercies and God of all consolation, you pursue
us with untiring love and dispel the shadow of death with the bright
dawn of life. Comfort your people in their loss and sorrow. Be our
refuge and our strength, O Lord, and lift us from the depths of
grief into the peace and light of your presence. Your Son, our Lord
Jesus Christ, by dying has destroyed our death, and by rising, restored
our life. Enable us therefore to press on toward him, so that, after
our earthly course is run, he may reunite us with those we love,
when every tear will be wiped away." (Prayers for Mourners)
We cry out to our God who has never and will never abandon us.
We look to the time of brightness and light, knowing that darkness
and pain will not prevail. We sense unerringly that we will be lifted
up and not brought low. We express wholeheartedly that death, sin
and evil will never overcome, rather they will be overcome through
the power and resurrection of the Lord. Death is swallowed up in
the victory of the cross and resurrection.
Thus, we will move forward to tomorrow. We are chastened. We are
deeply reflective of the fragility of life. We instinctively give
credence to the preciousness of life and love. We know that we will
continue our lives and loves until we are together with our God
and our loved ones forever in a new heaven and a new earth. We acknowledge
our God as holy, blessed and glorious. He has conquered. We, likewise,
will be victorious.
Father Joseph L. Ziliak is
pastor of St. John the Baptist Catholic Church in Newburgh.
