Today we gather to pray and reflect on the events of September 11, 2001. For some of us here today, we can recall that date with the clarity of yesterday, while others were just beginning their days here on earth.

When I was asked to present the reflection for today, I was initially overwhelmed with memories and emotion. I wondered how I could possibly speak about this topic. And so I turned to my own experience and to an article I read in the St. Anthony Messenger for guidance.

Whenever I hear the words "September 11th" I remember that day as beginning like any other. Children went off to school; adults filled the streets with traffic on their way to work. Everyone followed their daily routine like little worker ants. I remember that the sun was shining and the sky was clear. But little did any of us know how clouded the skies and our spirits would become.

After hearing the news of the attacks, I for one, was in disbelief. And upon seeing the video footage of the World Trade Center towers crumbling, I was in a fog of emotion. I asked myself, "How could this happen? Why would someone choose to hurt people?" I felt sad and confused, angry and helpless all at once.

Now, it would have been very easy to let those emotions remain within me; to let the darkness surrounding me swell up within me. But then I heard the remarkable stories of human courage and sacrifice:

Stories of the firefighters who risked everything to save the innocent.

Stories of courageous passengers unwilling to allow a plane headed for our nation's capital to continue on its path.

Stories of everyday people just like you or me, who heard the call of God through all of the chaos and helped search for victims among the rubble.

These stories helped me to renew my faith in the human spirit. And through the dark veil of ash that lingered in the air, people began to see the light. We came to realize that things could never be the same as they were before. We needed to find a way to move forward... not to forget... but see the events in a different way.

You know, after Jesus' resurrection, he appeared to his disciples in a different way and then he sent them forward. And that's what we need to do too. We need to move forward by walking in the light of God.

At the time, it seemed the way we began to move forward was from a strength deep down inside. The strength was the light of the Holy Spirit that grew from within everyone, and people once divided, became one. The light grew brighter and brighter and began to drive out the darkness of evil. Working together, our nation seemed to have woken up from its daily routine. People felt called to do more with their lives than just follow their daily schedules. We began reconnecting with God and with one another on new levels.

In my experience, several people in my life, including my husband, felt called to serve their country. For my husband Ken, and for many others, the decision to become a soldier was not made out of revenge; the decision was made out of a love for humanity - a way to do the work of God by helping others. I ask you to think of what you could be doing to help others. What can you do to break out of your daily routine and have a deeper relationship with God and with others? Are you reaching out to others? Are you helping new students in our school feel welcomed and comfortable? Are you taking time out of your day to pause and talk with God?

It's been five years since that fateful day. And it's important that we continue to be a peaceful people, and not lose sight of what God calls us to be. We need to remind ourselves that our honor will not be restored by violating the honor of others. No good can ever come of being revengeful. We must rise to higher moral ground than those who defiled us. After all, a shadow cannot disappear by trying to stamp on it. To cause a shadow to disappear, you must shine light on it. Do not seek revenge against those who have hurt you; learn to forgive them with God's help.

We all continue to suffer in our own ways, but just as when Jesus suffered on the cross; we too can call on God to forgive. "Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do!" God's forgiveness can help us to move forward. Forgiveness means that the wrongful deed of the past no longer controls our lives.

God is the light. God is the way! God calls us to be a peaceful people!

That means each one of us must be peacemakers. Each of us must walk in the light of God and choose peace. Together, forgiveness and peace are the foundation for a better future! Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be the children of God!

What are you doing in your daily life to promote peaceful relationships with others? What are you doing to move toward forgiving those who trespass against you?