Holy God, you may have seen - well, I’m positive you did see - the article about a local trucker who worked on the recovery effort after the 9/11 attacks. When he put on a pair of work gloves that had been donated for the recovery workers, he found a handwritten note inside - it was by a sever-year-old girl who simply wanted to help.
Interestingly, she addressed it simply to, “Fireman.” Perhaps that’s because in her young mind, a firefighter was the image of everything that is good and right in the world. The image of those who give themselves to help others regardless of their race, religion, or nationality. Perhaps it’s because she knew that firefighters like Paul Tegtmeier would always rush into the danger, and when the were knocked down would pick themselves up and keep looking for others in need.
Perhaps - We can’t know.
But we do know that there are many in need today. With hurricanes, floods, earthquakes and wild fires tearing through the country - pretty much all at the same time, there are people in need every day.
And we do know that there is a spirit of division within our country, many despising, abusing, and hurting others because of their race, religion or nationality.
So Holy God, let us, like the firefighter of that little girl’s imagination, embrace the spirit of selflessness. Let us commit to seeing past culture or skin color and instead see human beings. Let us be the peacemakers and the rescuers of those in need that you have called us to be.
You know, oh God, that it is more important today than ever. So let us use this time of looking back on tragedy to dedicate ourselves to moving forward in hope and peace. In your holy name we pray. Amen.
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