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Hoosier United Methodist News Archives
| Hoosier United Methodist News |
October 2001 |
Mini Homily:
In God We Trust
By Harold Leininger
The magnificent morning sun was shining through our windows as I prepared to leave for the office. As is my custom, I had turned on the television to NBC for the latest news. Sen. Ted Kennedy was being interviewed about recent developments at the Kennedy Center. Soon, thereafter, the news flashed that a plane had struck one of the World Trade Center's two towers. That was bad enough. Then a few minutes later, I was horrified when another commercial plane struck the other tower. Soon the dreaded word "terrorism" began to flow from the screen. Next, the Pentagon was hit, and finally a plane crashed outside of Pittsburgh.
It was a gorgeous day years ago when I stood on top of the World Trade Center. I was spellbound as I looked out over Manhattan and the surrounding area. What an accomplishment of man to build such a structure. A few years later, because of a personal friendship with the Undersecretary of Defense, Andrea and I were given a VIP tour of the Pentagon. Again, I was amazed at the architectural creativity of the military to build such a massive building during World War II. Now at this very moment two monuments to our nation's success are burning. The World Trade Center towers have collapsed and the Pentagon is damaged.
Horrified by the loss of life and the countless numbers injured, we are aware that our nation is at war. Having been a child in first grade during the strike on Pearl Harbor and a young pastor during the Cuban Missile crisis and the assassination of Pres. John Kennedy, I sense the seriousness of this catastrophe. Today marks a defining moment in the history of our nation and the world. The innocent of our great nation have become a tool of war. In no way will this be tolerated. But it does mean that the future of our democratic way of life will need to be re-interpreted.
Therefore, it is essential we mark this hour and ask ourselves, "What is our responsibility as citizens of this great land to God and country?" At this moment there is something incredibly significant each of us can do. We can pray! For God clearly states, "If my people who are called by my name humble themselves, pray, seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and I will forgive their sins and heal their land." 2 Chron. 7:14
First, let us fall on our knees and recommit ourselves to the unshakeable Sovereign of all nations and people. Second, let us intercede on behalf of all those who have perished and those who are injured for God's comfort and healing mercy. Third, let us pray that this cowardly and uncivilized act will not diminish our high resolve, "that the nation shall, under God, have a new birth of freedom, and that government of the people, by the people, for the people, shall not perish from the earth."
The Rev. Harold Leininger is senior pastor of Calvary UMC in Brownsburg.
Last updated on 01/14/2004