9-11 ten years later

Not only was the 10th anniversary of the tragedies of 9-11-2001 an historic place in time, but the fact that it was on a Sunday was important.  Falling on a weekend meant that more people were free to observe this anniversary without having to take time off from work or school.  And being the 'Lord's Day' meant that more people would gather in their places of worship to commemorate this date.  As a pastor, it gave me an opportunity to lead a greater number of people in reflecting on where we've been, where we are today, and perhaps where we should be heading.

My homily yesterday shared my thoughts that the reading our church selected for the 24th Sunday in Ordinary Time, to be read at Catholic Mass everywhere in the world, were the perfect readings for such a remembrance.  They spoke about forgiveness, the need to forgive, and the healing that comes from unconditional forgiveness, the same forgiveness we receive from Jesus himself.  When we allow feelings of anger and hatred to fester, we perpetuate the very behavior we are lashing out against.  And years turn into decades which turn into centuries, and nothing positive is accomplished.  In fact, even after the initial events are long forgotten, the feelings are still passed on from generation to generation. 

I look to many of the countries in the Middle East, whose anger and hatred for neighbors goes back to stories in the Old Testament.  I remember watching, a few years back, a newscast in which a young father and his son were caught in a crossfire in his hometown, somewhere in the Middle East.  As we watched, the son was hit by several bullets and died in his father's arms.    And I suddenly understood how many centuries of such incidents coud lead to the current unrest we know in that part of the world.  If that were my son, would I be able to forgive?  It's easy for me to answer from where I sit right now.  But, what would I do if I were not here at my computer, but rather on that street, holding my dead son?

And yet, someone has to take the first step.  Otherwise peace will never become a reality.

Last evening I participated in 'Southington Remembers 9-11'.  People of many different faiths came together to remember those who lost their lives ten years ago, and those who still try to put their lives together having lost someone near and dear in 2001.  It was a wonderful feeling to be shoulder to shoulder with clergy from other Christian churches, siekhs, rabbis and others to unite our voices in prayer to the same God, asking for the same thing - peace in our hearts, in our community, in our world.  May we never stop working to achieve that end, especially in the everyday events of our individual lives.

Vacation

Back from a week's vacation up in New Hampshire.  Unlike my last vacation, this one was not supposed to be strenuous, just relaxing.  I have had a group of friends up for many years over Columbus Day weekend, after which I usually drain the water system for the winter.  This year, Columbus Day weekend would not work for some in the group, and since the Archdiocese changed the week of our annual Priest's Retreat to the week prior to Columbus Day, it would have been a bit rushed to prepare for so many people arriving the day after I would get up north.  So, we decided to try Labor Day weekend, figuring it would be warmer weather and stay light longer.  All of which proved to be true - the temperature part certainly helped overcome the dampness of all the rain we had.

On top of that, I had to have some engine repair work done to my car, a process that we all know never goes without a hitch.  The first part of my week was beautiful weather, and I got a lot of mowing done in my back field.    It took several tries, but I managed to eradicate the yellow-jacket nest that I 'found' when I mowed two weeks ago.  Or maybe I should have said THEY found me.  And, I uncovered a white-faced hornet nest as well.

Every year, my friends look to do a 'project' when they come up.  This year we were attempting to rebuild my picnic table.  I had measured the rotting pieces - the legs and most of the supports ahead of time.  However, as we dismantled the table, we found even more rot.  So, we returned to the lumber yard, and decided to build a whole new table.  And since we decided not to cut the 8' pieces and throw away the 'scrap', I now have an 8' table instead of a 5'10" table.

All that is left of my last table are the pieces for the fireplace, and the top which is salvagable.

A man and his toys are not easily separated, and one of my friends brought his outdoor movie projection system.  It was like our own private drive-in.  We saw 'Salt', a spy-counter spy, suspense thriller that was very good, and a John Candy blast-from-the-past double feature.

On Saturday we went to the Hopkinton Fair.  It was a steamy hot, humid day, a blast from the summer.  That mixed with the animal smells proved interesting.  It was not a good day for the diets either, although the price of the deep-fried oreos kept us away from them - a dollar per oreo!  Yikes!

My friends never disappoint with the food they bring.  I am now the proud owner of a squash like you have never seen before.

I must confess I do NOT have a permit to carry that in my vehicle.  Fortunately, I was not stopped by any of the State Police on my way home.   
I can assure you it is not loaded!  Not too sure what I will do with it, though.

Well, it is back to work.  School is in full swing - we have an Open House tonight.