This weekend our nation commemorates the tenth anniversary of the September 11th terrorist attacks on our country. September 11, 2001 truly was a horrific day that changed the life of each and every one of us. And as I reflect back on the events that transpired on that awful September morning I am struck that even though ten years have passed, those memories and emotions are still so strong, so vivid within me. Do you remember how surreal that whole day was? Do you remember the sense of helplessness and disbelief as you witnessed the catastrophic events unfolding? You can probably recall exactly where you were when you heard the news. I'm certain you remember the sense of anger, shock, and sadness as you watched the Twin Towers fall. I'm sure you, like me, felt numb, angry and helpless as you recall the first images of the Manhattan skyline without the Twin Towers.
Yes, I remember that day as though it was yesterday. The weather was beautiful the morning of September 11 2001. I was a sophomore at St. Louis University and I was headed to my philosophy class when I heard our nation had been attacked. As the news of the attacks spread across campus I was struck by the reactions of the faculty and students. You could see the horror on everyone's face and the disbelief in their eyes as people realized what was happening. We were all painfully aware of the human suffering and carnage that was unfolding right before our eyes. That day, September 11, we all witnessed a terrible and senseless loss of innocent human life.
If there was one good thing that happened in the days and weeks that followed September 11th, it was an increased appreciation for the beauty of human life and the realization that life was indeed fragile. There was a palpable sense of solidarity among Americans; even strangers treated each other more kindly. I also remember the resolve of our nation to reach out to the people of New York and to all of those who had lost loved ones in the attacks. Some people lined up to donate blood while others donated money or their time to help with recovery and cleanup. In the face of great evil, the people of our country rose to the occasion and resolved that this senseless massacre of 2976 innocent human lives would never happen again.
As we gather here this weekend, I am sad to say that innocent life is still under attack in our country. On this day (weekend), which has been dedicated to the memory of those victims of the terrorists’ attacks in New York, Pennsylvania, and Washington D.C., the Church calls us to unite in prayer for peace in our country and for all our brothers and sisters whose lives and dignity are compromised by violence. But what are some of these offenses against the dignity of human life? If you open a newspaper or turn on the TV, you will see many of them. There are growing numbers of people who are suffering and dying because of war, power-hungry rulers, and insufficient food. Others are oppressed by torture, unjust imprisonment, and unnecessary death sentences. Still others are crushed by poverty, violence in their neighborhoods and families, and the lack of proper healthcare. Some of these things are experienced by men, women, and children right here in our country, right here in our own city.
However, there is another attack on innocent human life which is even more serious than the atrocities I have mentioned and only serves to perpetuate the cycle of violence that afflicts so many in our world today. This moral issue is the single most important problem of our time and yet there are many who would rather not talk about it. I am speaking of the taking of innocent human lives through the intrinsically immoral actions of abortion, destruction of human embryos for research, and euthanasia. These issues trump all other moral issues because they involve the fundamental right from which all of our other rights flow, and that is the right to life itself.
In a particular way, on this anniversary of 9/11, we should reflect on the scourge of abortion in our country. Never in the history of the world has such a sustained attack on innocent human life been tolerated, much less legally sanctioned. Since its legalization in 1973, abortion has claimed the lives of nearly 50 million children in our country alone! 50 million children! Around 1.3 million abortions are carried out each year in our country alone! That works out to 3300 babies every day, or about one child every 28 seconds. In the time it takes to deliver this homily some 20 babies will die. Frankly, these numbers take my breath away. 50 million is over four times the number of victims murdered in the Nazi Holocaust. These children could have filled six cities, each the size of New York. One third of my generation has disappeared because of abortion. In our country the death toll of Sept. 11 has been repeated each and every day for 38 years!
Far too many innocent lives have been taken in the past 38 years by abortion. And untold numbers of our brothers and sisters have been lost by destructive embryonic stem cell research as well as euthanasia. And while this pro-life message is often unwelcome, unpopular, and difficult, we, as members of Christ’s faithful cannot fail to be a voice for those who have no voice of their own. We cannot hope for peace and justice in our country without first tackling one of the greatest injustices in human history!
But I don’t stand here preaching to you without hope. Our greatest hope is in the inexhaustible mercy of God. Despite the fact that our country has allowed the destruction of so much innocent life, I am certain that deep down America still values the gift of life. This was proven in our nation’s response to the September 11th attacks. Deep down we still believe that life is truly precious, life is beautiful, life is the fundamental right of every person and the very foundation of our country. But we must do more to protect those who cannot protect themselves. We must work to ensure that every person has the right to live regardless of whether or not their life is convenient, expected, wanted, or productive. And we must allow this pro-life mentality to transform the way we think, the way we vote, the way we live out our faith.
Finally, let me make it clear; these offenses against human life in our country make victims of the living as well. If any of you have been involved in an abortion and are hurting please know that you can find healing, peace, and forgiveness from Christ in his Church, especially through the sacrament of reconciliation. It is important for each of us to remember that there is no sin, no offense too great for God’s mercy. There are ministries in our Church like Project Rachael and Project Joseph to help men and women who have been hurt by their decision to choose abortion as a solution to an unwanted, unplanned pregnancy.
As we come here to this Eucharist, let us renew our efforts on behalf of life. Are we doing enough? Are we willing to be a witness to life? Are we ready to challenge the institutions and opinions that support the ongoing slaughter of the innocent? May we honor the victims of 9/11 in the best possible way by building up a culture that respects and protects life in every stage, from conception until death.
