Remember, Weep & Protest

Today is the 8th anniversary of "9/11." Here are my thoughts.

Remember the day

Remember the fallen

Thomas Patrick Cullen, NYFD

You can read about him here.

Weep

Protest

Note that the word protest comes from the Latin, pro testare, which means to "speak for" something. The temptation of 9/11 is to speak against everything. This has its place, of course, but redemption, hope and peace only come through proclaiming and then claiming a positive vision for the future. It is easy to speak against "radical Islamists," "terrorism" and "evil." It is harder, yet more constructive, to speak for "liberty," "freedom," "reconciliation," "hope," "peace" and "love."

I think that President Obama is on to something by designating today as a Day of National Service. Channeling all of our negative feelings into something positive and constructive would be a real "protest" demonstration! I'm not suggesting that recycling aluminum cans will enhance our national security. But smiling and being especially nice to everyone you see today will go a long way towards making our nation a happier, a more civil and, ultimately, a nicer place to live.

In the end, this is what will crush evil: Love.

"Do not be overcome by evil; but overcome evil with good." (Romans 12:21)