IV.  BEING A CHRISTIAN IN HARD TIMES “Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted.” (Matthew 5:4)         I thought the service in the National Cathedral was exceptionally well done although tilted toward a conservative version of Christianity. Billy Graham used (mis-used?) the pulpit as a forum to call people to repentance and commitment to Christ. That’s what Baptists tend to do at funerals.         There were lots of Scripture passages used. Those that lifted up the cries of grief and helplessness one feels in such moments of horror were especially helpful. Humanity finds comfort in sharing the burden of grieving. “Blessed are those who mourn...”         Not having much else to do in our motel room while waiting for a way out of Los Angeles, I followed through on some of the spoken biblical texts. As I read on in the Sermon on the Mount in Matthew 5, words appeared that called to my soul. The words ran counter to those I was hearing on TV calling for immediate and massive retribution. They ran counter to the anger most of us felt toward anyone that could do such terrifying and terrible act.         I lift up these words as hard words and as words that set Christians apart from much of the world. And I lift them up with the realization that those who want us to return America to “its Christian roots,” probably don’t really want to hear these words.        For instance we read, “Blessed are the merciful, for they shall obtain mercy.” (Mt. 5:7)   “Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall see God.” (Mt. 5:9) “You have heard it said, ‘An eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth’ but I say to you, Do not resist one who is evil...” (Mt. 5:38) “You have heard it said, ‘You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ But I say to you, Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you.” (Mt. 5:43, 44)         It is always good to realize that these may not actually be Jesus’ words. In all likelihood they were words of Christians after his death. Nevertheless, they most likely reflect Jesus’ radically different teachings toward evildoers.         It is also good not to make laws and rules out of principles. We assume that the Boeing bombers were Islamic fundamentalists. Their doctrine has America in its sights as a demonic enemy. No attack is too evil. To lose one’s life in the fight against an evil empire is cause for ultimate honor. Such true believers dance in the streets at news of fire, destruction and massive death. How can we know how Jesus might react to such people? Would he not join in wanting such evil resisted? Those who attempt to make a Christian response are torn.         It is no comfort to know that there have been Christians in all times, equally passionate, equally barbaric, marching into battle under the cross of Jesus. There is something about patriotism that believes God is on “our” side.         I think we can find the higher moral ground if we live by the general spirit of these troubling words. Yes, we must mourn before we find comfort. We must learn to mourn not only for our own, but for all who bear heart-wrenching, sobbing grief. That would be a Christian response.         We must think about peacemaking instead of war-making. Peacemaking is more difficult and requires a higher level of humanity than war-making. The problem is that we are more experienced and better equipped to wage war than establish peace.         We must learn to pray for our enemies. Try it. Begin with someone who has hurt your feelings or made you angry. See what happens to you. Then work up toward those whose actions have offended you the most. It is a Christian response to evil that makes an immediate difference where it counts. In our own soul.         The divinity in Jesus was his high humanity. Any enemy that destroys this humanity has won the war. Our struggle in such times is to reclaim the high ground. God help us. - Art Morgan, September 11, 2001