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SERMONS FOR SEPTEMBER
11, 2001
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by Art
Morgan
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"For
these things I weep; my eyes flow with tears;
for a comforter
is far from me, one to revive my courage;
my children are
desolate, for the enemy has prevailed.”
(Lamentations 1:16)
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On the morning of September 11, 2001 we were in Los Angeles to catch a Swiss
Air flight to Zurich, Switzerland. We had booked three weeks in a Swiss chalet
for hiking and traveling and celebrating our 50th wedding anniversary. |
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Every person in the modem world will be able to remember where they were on
that day and how they learned that unknown enemies had taken Boeing planes,
along with crews and passengers, for use as suicide bombers against the World
Trade Towers, the Pentagon and the White House. Three of the attacks reached
their targets while the fourth was forced to crash in Pennsylvania. |
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We were checking the morning news in our motel near LAX when the terrifying
pictures appeared on the TV screen. We thought it must be a movie channel
showing a horror movie. It was not a movie. |
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For four days we were semi-stranded in that motel. We sought information about
our tour and possible flights. Cancellations and re-bookings were done. Many
phone calls and hours on hold. As with millions of travelers, we could only
wait or seek other transportation. When it became evident that there would
be no flight to Switzerland and that we could not get a flight back to Oregon
we inquired about rental cars and Amtrak. Both were fully booked. Then we
thought of friends we knew to be driving to Oregon and invited ourselves
to ride with them. They graciously complied. |
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We were only mildly inconvenienced when compared to those related to the tragic
deaths of thousands, or with travelers who did not have motel rooms. |
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Like millions of Americans, we spent our time watching the news unfold grimly
before our eyes. We experienced the feelings and thoughts shared by others.
In addition, as a preacher of sorts, I reflected on the situation through
my theological and biblical lenses. I jotted some notes that I decided to
turn into “sermons” to preserve and share my thoughts. |
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As the days pass and I read articles and letters to the editors, I see many
of my own thoughts. Mine are not necessarily original. What may be different
is my use of some biblical materials in relation to the events. |
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At any rate, I offer these few (and brief) “sermons” for what they may be
worth. |
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Comments are welcome to Art Morgan, 25921 SW Airport Ave., Corvallis, OR
97333 or a-morgan@peak.org |
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(Note: Art
Morgan is a “Reverend Dr.”, retired Christian Church (Disciples) minister,
and Minister/President of Moment Ministiies, primarily serving those outside
the organized church.
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