September 11th—just hearing that date evokes a myriad of emotions and memories. For me, living just 15 miles from the World Trade Center, those buildings that opened the year I was born, that day remains an unerasable part of my experience. I witnessed firsthand the horror and grief of that day, trying to minister to families grappling with the loss of loved ones who were, at first, missing and then confirmed lost in the tragedy. For many of you, this day might seem like a distant memory or a historical event you’ve learned about through books or documentaries. It’s a dramatic example of how our experiences reminds us how profoundly our perspectives are shaped by the times and places in which we live.
This is my homily for Wednesday, September 11, 2024 (Gospel can be found here. I appreciate your sharing this on your social media posts and your feedback and comments… I’m also grateful for all those who’ve asked for the audio version and share them as well at SOUNDCLOUD click HERE or from ITUNES as a podcast HERE. May the Lord be glorified in your reading and sharing- Father Jim
But September 11th is one of those days that changed everything. For example, before that fateful day, air travel was much simpler: you could arrive at the airport with minimal hassle, and seeing off a loved one at the gate was a common and comforting ritual. The events of that day have since transformed even these simple acts, marking a clear divide between life before and after.
In the aftermath of the attacks, many of us were glued to our screens, trying to make sense of the chaos and the fear. We wondered: What would come next? Were we safe? The term “failure of imagination” was coined to describe how unprepared we were for such a catastrophic event. It was a sobering realization that our leaders, designers, and planners had not envisioned such a diabolical threat. This failure of imagination has since prompted a new era of vigilance and preparedness.
On this anniversary, this reading from the Gospel of St. Luke present us with Jesus’ Beatitudes. Jesus proclaims the poor, the hungry, and those who weep as blessed, while warning of woe for those who are rich, full, and comfortable. Jesus is not just offering a comforting message but is laying out a radical vision of what God’s Kingdom entails. His words turn worldly values upside down, placing the priorities of God’s Kingdom in stark contrast to our usual pursuits.
Unfortunately, a “failure of imagination” is not merely a historical lesson; it remains a spiritual challenge. We are so accustomed to the Beatitudes that we may lose sight of their radical nature. Jesus calls us to embrace a vision where love and justice transcend conventional wisdom, where the meek inherit the earth, and where mercy and compassion are paramount.
To avoid a spiritual “failure of imagination,” we must look beyond our own comforts and respond to the needs of others—the poor, the grieving, and those who are marginalized. We are called to imagine and work for a world transformed by Jesus’ teachings, where our actions reflect His love and justice.
As we remember those we lost on September 11th and the profound impact of that day, let us also renew our commitment to living out the Beatitudes. Let us use our experiences and our faith to envision a more compassionate and just world. May we open our hearts to the true call of Jesus, working diligently to create a world where His love and justice are manifest in our daily lives. In doing so, we honor the memory of those who were lost and transform our own lives and communities to reflect the Kingdom of God.
