I went to Mass today to remember. To pray for the loved ones we lost as families, as states, as a nation on 9/11/2001. I met up with a friend for coffee and I recalled to her the times in my youth I heard survivors of World War Two complain to us youngsters about not remembering the December 7th attack on Pearl Harbor long ago, and other similar dates. I get what those complaints were all about, now that I am older. I have a renewed appreciation for honoring anniversaries of tragic loss.

How important it is that we not only remember those that have died, and the calamities we may suffer, but keep them in perspective by keeping close the memory of what is to come. Faith allows us to begin to fathom and make sense of this, our present moment.

How appropriate the lines from Scripture in today’s Mass from St Paul… to illuminate the truth of all we believe… to remember that our life with Christ calls us to look up, to look beyond, to see with new eyes of faith…

If you were raised with Christ, seek what is above,
where Christ is seated at the right hand of God.
Think of what is above, not of what is on earth.
For you have died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God.
When Christ your life appears,
then you too will appear with him in glory.

-Colossians 3: 1-4-

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I remember what a clear blue sky we had on September 11, 2001. Like the flag gently luffing in the easy breezy sky in the photo I took while sailing on vacation this summer. The light pierces the colors of the flag and sharpens our gaze. Like Francis, says, “the light of faith is unique, since it is capable of illuminating every aspect of human existence. (Lumen Fidei, par 4.)”