What about forgiveness...

Here we are, five years later to the day, and tears still flow. Not only from the eyes of the survivors but from the eyes of the average citizen as well. We are still moved by grief beyond words and a sorrow that will never leave our memories all our days. Tonight, the President addresses a nation as two blue beams of light thrust their way through the New York night skyline where two majestic towers once stood. It is, in part, a memorial to what we've lost.

Five years ago we tragically lost more than the lives of those who perished at Ground Zero, the Pentagon and Flight 93. We lost our innocence. We lost illusions of moving carelessly through the skies even within our own boundaries. We lost something we likely will never recover, even if all the terrorists around the globe are brought to justice tomorrow. We lost so much.

Fittingly, on this fifth anniversary of the United States' single-most tragic day, we've stopped long enough to remember. The media carefully prepares memorial broadcasts and news features of how the families are doing now, five years later. Some are still deeply grieving and can't speak without tears. Others are necessarily moving on... remarrying, rebuilding with the pieces of life that were left behind.

We've heard a lot about grief this weekend. We've heard much about heroism and patriotism. Anthems are played, memorials either created or visited as the nation itself attempts to pick up the pieces and move on. Yet, with all that has been said, I've not heard even a single word spoken of what might be our greatest loss of all.

Commentators disclaim the radical leftist extremism that brought the planes and towers down. They declare the need for a more moderate view to be held for those who inhabit the "mainstream" of eastern faith. Much is said about human beings understanding one another, but nothing is said of "forgiveness." What about forgiveness?

"Out of the depths I cry to you, O Lord; O Lord hear my voice. Let your ears be attentive to my cry for mercy. If you, O Lord, kept a record of sins, O Lord, who could stand? But with you there is forgiveness; therefore you are feared."
(Ps. 130:1-4)

How much is being spent on overcoming this tragedy? War efforts, memorials, new towers to prove the resilience of the American people and our political assistance to bring democracy to oppressed peoples. Perhaps all is appropriately spent and worthy to every last dime. But can we recover our greatest loss?

When we truly assess what was lost that day, it will add up to more than thousands of innocent lives, symbols of freedom or even our innocence. We are quick to acknowledge our losses on that day but I pray "forgiveness" isn't one of them.

Lord... will we ever forgive? Can we ever forgive those who apparently have no remorse for what they have done? Can we forgive people who would do the very same thing again, given even half a chance? Can we forgive those who themselves don't seek forgiveness? Lord... can we ever forgive?

If God kept a record of sins, I'd be lost and so would you be. And so will they be.

Lord... please forgive and teach us to begin to forgive.