While this liturgy was written to commemorate 9-11, it can be adapted for other contexts by changing the introductory paragraph in blue font and adapting the liturgy where needed.
On September 11, 2001, the United States was attacked on its own soil, which had not happened since 1942, and the likes of which were not seen before. Worldwide, around three billion, two hundred eighty-three million people have been born since then; a whole generation who did not experience the event that shaped so much of our present. They will remember only what they see and hear about it.
“Never forget.” we have told ourselves.
We will not, cannot forget the injury or the insult.
There is no secular guidance
that tells us how to deal with our anger and loss.
Let us, then, return to the roots of our faith
to remember first that
"our help is in the name of the Lord
who made heaven and earth." (Psalm 124:8 NRSVUE)
This help took the form of a human named Jesus
who was God incarnate,
who taught us the way to live in peace,
and who died faithful to his teaching.
God also taught us to pray,
to call God
our Father who is in heaven. (Matthew 6:9)
This God is the only God,
the Shepherd of Israel in the Hebrew scriptures,
the One seen in the person of Jesus,
and received as the Holy Spirit by believers.
This God is the only God,
A God called by many names,
worshipped in many tongues,
revealed to Moses as “I AM". (Exodus 3:14)
Our God is holy,
and demands that we acknowledge God's holiness;
so we pray,
“Hallowed be your name”. (Matthew 6:9 NIV)
We pray as Jesus commanded us:
“Your Kingdom come,
Your will be done on earth as it is in heaven.” (Matthew 6:10 NIV)
What do we mean when we say this?
How are we to treat those who have wronged us?
“Forgive us our debts, trespasses and sins
as we forgive our debtors, trespassers,
and those who have sinned against us.” (Matthew 6:12)
What are we willing to do as faithful disciples
who are engaged to do God’s work here on earth?
We are to “do justice, love mercy,
and walk humbly with God.”(Micah 6:8)
Proverbs 20:22 cautions all people of the Book:
Do not say “I will repay evil.”;
Wait for the Lord, who will help you. (Proverbs 20:22 NRSVUE)
Temptation is strong to do otherwise;
we want immediate and long-lasting vengeance,
but Jesus tells us to pray
“Lead us not into temptation,
but deliver us from evil.” (Matthew 6:13)
To what degree do we pray that, but in fact hope
it will not happen just yet,
that we get our satisfaction before it does?
The kingdom, the power,
and the glory belong to God,
who is our Father in heaven.
The kingdom, the power,
and the glory do not belong to us.
What courage will it demand,
what faithfulness will it require
for us to act on the wisdom we have been given,
to love our enemies and do good to those who hate us?
We need not forget in order to forgive.
Let us pray.
Lord Jesus, even from the cross you asked your father
to forgive those who executed you.
Father, forgive them.
They do not know what they are doing. (Luke 23:34)
Inspire us to be faithful disciples:
to have compassion for those who are injured,
to seek mercy and justice for those who are guilty.
All humanity are your children.
let your will be done on earth as in heaven. (Matthew 6:10)
Amen.
