Many of the Jews therefore, who had come with Mary and had seen what Jesus did, believed in him. But some of them went to the Pharisees and told them what he had done. So the chief priests and the Pharisees called a meeting of the council, and said, 'What are we to do? This man is performing many signs. If we let him go on like this, everyone will believe in him, and the Romans will come and destroy both our holy place and our nation.' But one of them, Caiaphas, who was high priest that year, said to them, 'You know nothing at all! You do not understand that it is better for you to have one man die for the people than to have the whole nation destroyed.' He did not say this on his own, but being high priest that year he prophesied that Jesus was about to die for the nation, and not for the nation only, but to gather into one the dispersed children of God. So from that day on they planned to put him to death. Jesus therefore no longer walked about openly among the Jews, but went from there to a town called Ephraim in the region near the wilderness; and he remained there with the disciples.
Nine years ago today, horrific events took place on American soil. Two planes hit the towers of the World Trade Center in New York City. One plane crashed into the Pentagon. United flight 93 on it's way to fly into the White House crashed in Pennsylvania. Thousands of Americans, Al-Qaeda, Islams, Christians, Buddhists, Hindus, individuals from other nations, religions, sexual orientations, gender identities/expressions, challenges, genders, abilities lost their lives an a terror attack that changed America and the world most likely forever. Many rescue workers also lost their lives, their health, their dignity as they attempted to save the lives of those who could be rescued. Women and men of every kind and background wept for those who's lives were changed when those they loved were forever lost from their sight.
Of all the terrible things that happened on that terrible day, among the greatest was a nation of grieving and scared people came together to pray, support each other, crying together, sharing with each other how horrified all of us were. People who normally fought with each other, more or less stopped just for a few days and weeks, to help us all come to terms with the anger, sadness and fear we were all experiencing.
Yet, there were also those who took hold of the events of that terrible day to make America fearful of supporting a woman's right to choose and/or accepting lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgendered, questioning and queer people. Many radical conservative Christians went so far as to suggest that God allowed the events of September 11, 2001 because America embraces women and LGBTQ people. Many also began a campaign against the Islamic people. Among the greater accomplishments of former President George W. Bush was his emphasis that America was at war with terrorism and Al-Qaeda, and not the religion of Islam. We began to become aware of the dangers of scapegoating.
Yet for all that has happened, can any of us say that America and the Church has learned better about diversity? Have we learned to stop making sexual orientation and/or gender identity/expression, gender, religion, challenges, race etc excuses for scapegoating? How about scapegoating immigrants through Arizona's racist "paper's please" law? Have we learned that violence is never the will of God?
Today's Gospel reading is so appropriate. Jesus was scapegoated because he spoke differently, loved differently and because he challenged people's comfort zones. Just before this reading today, Jesus had just raised his buddy Lazarus from the tomb. Yet, the Pharisees and Caiaphas are so threatened with the thought of loosing their prestige and power, that they would rather decide together to kill someone than see the anger and hate in their own hearts for what it was. They are willing to scapegoat Jesus rather than loose their place of political power.
Many in the Church and society today would rather scapegoat Muslims and LGBTQ people, women and other minorities than find ways to work for inclusion, justice and equality. Archbishop Rowan Williams would rather write a letter on Pentecost threatening the inclusion of the Episcopal Church from the Anglican Communion, rather than look for ways to include LGBTQ people as Bishops in the Church. Members of the Anglican Communion in Africa want to scapegoat women and LGBTQ people through the Anglican Covenant in order to silence the conversation about including people in the ordained ministry of Bishops, Priests and Deacons. Or help with the creation of a bill that would criminalize people because of their sexual orientation and/or gender identity/expression. Over this past week the media outlets have been inundated about Pastor Jones in Florida, as well as Rev. Fred Phelps and others who had planned to burn Qurans today to say that America is at war with Islam. Republican politicians are going to have a conference next weekend with American Family Association's Bryan Fischer who wants America to know that we are at war with Islam. Have we learned the lessons of September 11, 2001?
Given the examples I have just shared, it is obvious that we have a long way to go. The good thing about our God is that God is patient and forgiving. God wants us to arrive at that place where we do accept and embrace others who are different from ourselves. God wants us to be about the ministry of radical hospitality and reconciliation. September 11, 2001 was an opportunity for us to see and know that America and the Church can be a great place for hospitality and reconciliation. When will America and the Church finally take that lesson to heart and make it the theme of how we live, love and act?
Grant us, O Lord, to trust in you with all our hearts; for, as you always resist the proud who confide in their own strength, so you never forsake those who make their boast of your mercy; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen. (Proper 18, Book of Common Prayer, page 233).
Lord, make us instruments of your peace. Where there is hatred, let us sow love; where there is injury, pardon; where there is discord, union; where there is doubt, faith; where there is despair, hope; where there is darkness, light; where there is sadness, joy. Grant that we may not so much seek to be consoled as to console; to be understood as to understand; to be loved as to love. For it is in giving that we receive; it is in pardoning that we are pardoned; and it is in dying that we are born to eternal life. Amen. (Prayer Attributed to St. Francis of Assisi, Book of Common Prayer, page 833).
Other Prayers Commemorating September 11, 2001
God the compassionate one, whose loving care extends to all the world, we remember this day your children of many nations and many faiths whose lives were cut short by the fierce flames of anger and hatred. Console those who continue to suffer and grieve, and give them comfort and hope as ...they look to the future. Out of what we have endured, give us the grace to examine our relationships with those who perceive us as the enemy, and show our leaders the way to use our power to serve the good of all for the healing of the nations. This we ask through Jesus Christ our Lord who, in reconciling love, was lifted up from the earth that he might draw all things to himself. Amen. - Prepared by The Most Reverend Frank T. Griswold, Presiding Bishop and Primate, The Episcopal Church, USA, for September 11 anniversary observances.
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