September 11th--Fifteen Years Years Ago
Many of us remember well where we were and what we were doing on that fateful day in our collective history. This Sunday our nation, and the world, will in some form pause to remember the tragedy which began then and continues today. Many continue to suffer personally from the effects of being at or near Ground Zero. Countless more live changed lives directly related to the events of the day and the decisions and actions which have followed. Our nation's military and their families continue to bear major responsibilities forever changed due to that day now fifteen years in our past.
As we each pause to remember and pray for those who suffered directly that day and in the days which have followed may we do so with true sadness, yes, but also hopefully with a profound sense of burden for continued service--especially as chaplains ready to respond to the needs of individuals and communities forever changed in a moment's time.
In remembering this date in 2011, Guideposts published the prayer from Franciscan Priest Father Mychal Judge, who was killed at Ground Zero ministering to a fallen firefighter. Chaplain Judge is often referred to as the first documented victim of the 9/11 attack.
Here is the prayer on the card he and others distributed that fateful day. May it help us as chaplains to be ready for the next 9/11.
Lord, take me where you want me to go.
Let me meet who you want me to meet.
Tell me what you want me to say,
And keep me out of your way.
Lyman Smith
Executive Director
The Military Chaplains Association
[Editor's comment: Lyman Smith is a friend of mine. He is a retired Navy Captain who served as a chaplain. I served with him when I was the Chairman of the Endorsers Conference for Veterans Affairs Chaplaincy, and a member of the Executive Committee for the National Conference on Ministry to the Armed Forces. He was the editor of the NCMAF and ECVAC newsletter. I was given the opportunity to write articles for that publication. Lyman put it all together for us. He does excellent work. My life has been enriched by knowing and working with such outstanding men of faith who have served our country in the Armed Forces of the United States of America. I am please to be a Life Member of MCA.]
Many of us remember well where we were and what we were doing on that fateful day in our collective history. This Sunday our nation, and the world, will in some form pause to remember the tragedy which began then and continues today. Many continue to suffer personally from the effects of being at or near Ground Zero. Countless more live changed lives directly related to the events of the day and the decisions and actions which have followed. Our nation's military and their families continue to bear major responsibilities forever changed due to that day now fifteen years in our past.
As we each pause to remember and pray for those who suffered directly that day and in the days which have followed may we do so with true sadness, yes, but also hopefully with a profound sense of burden for continued service--especially as chaplains ready to respond to the needs of individuals and communities forever changed in a moment's time.
In remembering this date in 2011, Guideposts published the prayer from Franciscan Priest Father Mychal Judge, who was killed at Ground Zero ministering to a fallen firefighter. Chaplain Judge is often referred to as the first documented victim of the 9/11 attack.
Here is the prayer on the card he and others distributed that fateful day. May it help us as chaplains to be ready for the next 9/11.
Lord, take me where you want me to go.
Let me meet who you want me to meet.
Tell me what you want me to say,
And keep me out of your way.
Lyman Smith
Executive Director
The Military Chaplains Association
[Editor's comment: Lyman Smith is a friend of mine. He is a retired Navy Captain who served as a chaplain. I served with him when I was the Chairman of the Endorsers Conference for Veterans Affairs Chaplaincy, and a member of the Executive Committee for the National Conference on Ministry to the Armed Forces. He was the editor of the NCMAF and ECVAC newsletter. I was given the opportunity to write articles for that publication. Lyman put it all together for us. He does excellent work. My life has been enriched by knowing and working with such outstanding men of faith who have served our country in the Armed Forces of the United States of America. I am please to be a Life Member of MCA.]