April 6, 2018 at 1:53 p.m.
REFLECTION
A priest ponders 9/11
These are mysteriously deep phrases. Sept. 11, 2001, only has meaning for Christians if we go back to that day, which recalls Christ's death. Truly, 9/11 changed all people's lives and our world.
On Sept. 11, 2011, many of us celebrated the Eucharist and remembered that terrible act of violence perpetrated on the World Trade Center. It is still so deeply etched in my memory that I hesitate to watch televised reminders or go to Ground Zero. Most of us try to run away from the ugly and hurtful situations in life.
The Eucharist gives meaning to all violence. "Take and eat, this is my body," Jesus said, and then He gave the cup to the Apostles at the Last Supper. "Drink from it, all of you, for this is my blood which will be shed for you" (Mt 26:26).
These words must always be remembered when violence is perpetrated against human beings. There are too many of these horrible acts: rape and killings in the Sudan, genocides of Christian Armenians in 1917, the sexual abuse of children and women and all violations of human rights, as in Libya.
We must join these countless acts of violence to Christ's body and to the cup of His suffering. Every innocent body and blood ever shed unjustly are memorialized as we celebrate the Eucharist.
But our story does not end at this point. We are crucified with Christ, as St. Paul reminds us, and we - like the good thief crucified next to Christ - accept His words: "Today, you will be with me in paradise."
In our suffering, we always look to the place Jesus has for us in heaven. Every time our bodies are subjected to abuse and violence, we look to the day of our resurrection. We believe that we will rise from those ashes and Christ will welcome us to our eternal home, where every tear will be wiped away.
Jesus said, "Blessed are they who are persecuted for the sake of righteousness, for the kingdom of heaven is theirs." The next time you celebrate the Eucharist, you will drink from the cup of blessings. Every blessing we have from God comes from Jesus' death on the cross.
At the same time, you will also drink from the cup of suffering. Jesus tells us, "If you are one of my disciples, you must take up your cross and follow me."
He truly shows us the way to live. He always gives us the truth so we can see things with His eyes and heart. He always bestows His grace to walk in His ways.
(Father Matulewicz is a retired priest of the Albany Diocese who lives in Johnstown.)[[In-content Ad]]
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