Remembering

To honor the dead and comfort the living.

Scripture

Psalm 17, verses 6-15

I call on You, my God,
for You will answer me;
turn Your ear to me and hear my prayer.

Show me the wonders of Your great love,
you who save by Your right hand
those who take refuge in You
from their foes.

Keep me as the apple of Your eye;
hide me in the shadow of Your wings
from the wicked who are out to destroy me,
from my mortal enemies who surround me.

They close up their callous hearts,
and their mouths speak with arrogance.

They have tracked me down, they now surround me,
with eyes alert, to throw me to the ground.
They are like a lion hungry for prey,
like a fierce lion crouching in cover.

Rise up, Lord, confront them, bring them down;
with Your sword rescue me from the wicked.
By Your hand save me from such people, Lord,
from those of this world
whose reward is in this life.
May what You have stored up for the wicked
fill their bellies;
may their children gorge themselves on it,
and may there be leftovers
for their little ones.

As for me, I will be vindicated
and will see Your face;
when I awake,
I will be satisfied with seeing Your likeness.

Photo of a flower

September 11
a Tragic Anniversary

I call on You, my God,
on this day of echoes,
when thousands of voices cry out “Peace! Peace!”
but there is no peace.

I call on You, my God,
on this day of painful memories,
of terror and confusion,
of death and destruction,
of wounds unhealed.

I call on You, my God,
as visions swirl around us,
rising up from the earth
like whitened sepulchers,
that we may see clearly.

I call on You, my God.
Hear my prayer and answer me;
show me the wonders of Your great love.

I call on You, my God,
keep me safe from the wicked,
the callous and uncaring.
Save me from those who, like hyenas,
are ever alert for spoils;
growling, snarling, devouring.

I call on You, my God,
fill my heart with hope and thanksgiving
for those who serve,
who save, who gave
their last full measure for others,
for those who did not turn away.

I call on You, my God,
let me see justice in the land of the living.
Let those who suffer be comforted;
let those who grieve find peace;
let those who died be honored and cherished;

and let all those who live Never Forget.