Why?

Much has been said and written and televised this week about 9/11, the tenth anniversary of a day that for us has become like Pearl Harbor to Americans of an earlier time - sinister, diabolical, treachery -- as FDR said, a day of infamy. It was evil taken to a new depth for us, thousands of innocent people murdered for no reason but hatred alone. Much of the world recoiled in horror, though some may remember shocking television images of jubilant celebration in Palestine. Why the hatred?

People hate for reasons real or perceived. In my memory America was loved and admired almost universally, Americans were welcome everywhere. There was William J. Lederer’s occasional Ugly American, but we were seen as a nation of generosity and goodness unto naivete. Today Americans traveling beyond our borders are at risk of life. In our time it may become dangerous to visit Times Square or even to go to a shopping center.  

People hate for reasons real or perceived. Why do people hate us? There are reasons, real or perceived. As well as internal security and international defense, we might put resources into exploring the question and overcoming perceptions and realities. Just after 9/11, a Saudi Arabian prince brought NYC a check for ten million dollars to help with reconstruction. The mayor angrily rejected the check when the prince intimated that America’s policies might be somewhat to blame for 9/11. Is that perception or reality? Why the hatred? It isn’t safe or wise to simply hate in return but not to wonder.

Today: prayer for those of us in greatest peril.      

Almighty God, we commend to your gracious care and
keeping all the men and women of our armed forces at home
and abroad. Defend them day by day with your heavenly
grace; strengthen them in their trials and temptations; give
them courage to face the perils which beset them; and grant
them a sense of your abiding presence wherever they may be;
through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

And still and always, God bless America, land that I love.

TW+