The cold, damp air seemed to set the tone for the day. I was tired and sluggish and the weather seemed to match my mood. I will also admit a certain level of anxiety because of today's anniversary. Whether an attack is on our native soil or in a place like Benghazi, the anniversary of the 9/11 attack always spikes my apprehension about our citizens taking another hit.
Obviously, as I delineated all of the (terror) attacks on American soil in the last 20 years in my post yesterday, we are vulnerable to attacks at any time and on any day. It isn't just on this one day. In yesterday's posting I did not include any school shootings, the Aurora, Colorado theater shooting, and other events not labeled as terrorist attacks. The pain and loss of life in these crimes is also quite intense.
Reaching the evening hours with no reported attack has brought a sense of relief. At the time I am writing this I still have concern about the folks present for Thursday Night Football. I will be grateful when the stadium is empty and people have returned safely to their homes.
I had the privilege of being the keynote speaker this evening for the first meeting of the Bishop's Guild in this new season. The topic that was chosen is the theme for this year's Catechetical Sunday which will be celebrated on September 21. The theme is, Teaching About God's Gift of Forgiveness. Hopefully, all of us are teaching about God's forgiveness first and foremost through our own forgiving actions. I can only imagine the difficulty of some people in trying to forgive the perpetrators of the 9/11 attack. How do we find the strength to forgive when we have been hurt so tragically?
Thankfully, all things are possible with God. The love of God the Father, the grace of our Lord, Jesus Christ, and the power of the Holy Spirit is with us. That is how we manage to go on through the difficult days of life.
My evening with the ladies of the Bishop's Guild was a splendid one. I am extremely grateful for each of you individually and as a group. You have blessed, and continue to bless, God's people through your lives of faithful witness. Thank you for your dedication to Christ and the Church and the many ways you serve. Please know that your sacrifices are genuinely appreciated.
As we left the hotel following the banquet we were greeted with snowfall and 35 degree temperatures. It's only September 11. I am not ready for winter. Thankfully, it is a short blast and then back into the 70's over the weekend.
Obviously, as I delineated all of the (terror) attacks on American soil in the last 20 years in my post yesterday, we are vulnerable to attacks at any time and on any day. It isn't just on this one day. In yesterday's posting I did not include any school shootings, the Aurora, Colorado theater shooting, and other events not labeled as terrorist attacks. The pain and loss of life in these crimes is also quite intense.
Reaching the evening hours with no reported attack has brought a sense of relief. At the time I am writing this I still have concern about the folks present for Thursday Night Football. I will be grateful when the stadium is empty and people have returned safely to their homes.
I had the privilege of being the keynote speaker this evening for the first meeting of the Bishop's Guild in this new season. The topic that was chosen is the theme for this year's Catechetical Sunday which will be celebrated on September 21. The theme is, Teaching About God's Gift of Forgiveness. Hopefully, all of us are teaching about God's forgiveness first and foremost through our own forgiving actions. I can only imagine the difficulty of some people in trying to forgive the perpetrators of the 9/11 attack. How do we find the strength to forgive when we have been hurt so tragically?
Thankfully, all things are possible with God. The love of God the Father, the grace of our Lord, Jesus Christ, and the power of the Holy Spirit is with us. That is how we manage to go on through the difficult days of life.
My evening with the ladies of the Bishop's Guild was a splendid one. I am extremely grateful for each of you individually and as a group. You have blessed, and continue to bless, God's people through your lives of faithful witness. Thank you for your dedication to Christ and the Church and the many ways you serve. Please know that your sacrifices are genuinely appreciated.
As we left the hotel following the banquet we were greeted with snowfall and 35 degree temperatures. It's only September 11. I am not ready for winter. Thankfully, it is a short blast and then back into the 70's over the weekend.
I am watching it snow, but I am still thinking "summer" as I remember how hot it was in Missouri in July.
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