Remembering 9/11 with a Gospel that Preaches Itself

To you who hear I say, love your enemies,
Do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you,
Pray for those who mistreat you.

Sometimes, the lectionary provides us with a reading that preaches itself. As we remember 9/11 today, Thursday of the 23rd Week of Ordinary Time offers us eleven profoundly challenging verses from chapter six of Luke’s Gospel.

And if I’m being honest, I have to say that as painful and sad as the memories are, I don’t struggle to remember 9/11. And I’m grateful to acknowledge and honor those who were lost and the heroism of the first responders that day.

I do struggle — and, most often, fail — to love my enemies. This is where I need grace.

The call to love our enemies is not just about avoiding violence and seeking peace; it’s a call to embody in our own lives the mystery of the love of God, “for he himself is kind to the ungrateful and the wicked. Be merciful, just as also your Father is merciful.”

Let’s remember that. Not just today, but every day.

* * *

A few links worth praying with today:

• Pope Francis’s homily on today’s Gospel.
• From the tenth anniversary of 9/11, Fr. James Martin’s pilgrimage to Ground Zero.
• From Matthew Janeczko, OFM Cap. (at CatholicHow), a meditation on Mychal Judge, OFM, priesthood, and sacrifice.
• Pope Emeritus Benedict’s prayer at Ground Zero from 2008.

If you’ve got other recommendations for meditations and prayer today, please add the links in the comments.