A Holy Eucharist in Memory of the Victims of Terror

A sermon given at
The Episcopal Church at Princeton University
Princeton University Chapel
September 12, 2001
The Rev. Dr. Stephen L. White
Chaplain

This is the second evening of children waiting for moms and dads to return from work, of wives and husbands and parents waiting for a phone call from a missing relative, and of a nation in shock and mourning. A great deal has already been said about yesterday's tragedy, and at this point it might be the best thing just to embrace the words of Holy Scripture and our ancient forms of worship and to embrace silence in lieu of a homily or a sermon.

But I do want to say a word about aspects of this tragedy that have received somewhat less attention than some others have.

In our sadness and horror we pray, each in our own way, for all those affected in any way by this tragedy, especially those known to us. And we pray for our country and for wise and discerning leadership. Those are the prayers that come easily and naturally to us out of our compassion for innocent victims and out of our love for our country.

But as Christians we are asked to follow the example and the command of Jesus Christ to love our enemies. So we pray a prayer that is harder to pray for those who did this terrible thing and for their families. And we pray for the grace of a loving God for the strength to resist the evil temptation to hate as they hated.

And one more thing. In the wake of this act of hatred we need to be particularly sensitive to and concerned about those among us in the Princeton community who, merely because they are Palestinian or Muslim or Arabic, may feel ostracized in any way, or fearful of anger and hatred directed at them. I want to encourage everyone to reach out to them and to one another in a spirit of peace and goodwill.

Our country has a noble history. But if we are honest we must admit that it is blemished by some very dark episodes - such as the interment of innocent Japanese Americans during World War II - that should instruct us all. So I ask your prayers tonight that all Americans will rise above intolerance and the scapegoating of innocent people. To do otherwise would be to turn our backs on all that is best about America and to deny our life in Jesus Christ.

In this spirit, then, let us reflect in silence for a few moments on the words of Jesus from the 5th chapter of Matthew. Jesus said:

"You have heard that it was said, 'You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.' But I say to you, Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, so that you may be children of your Father in heaven; for he makes his sun rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the righteous and on the unrighteous. For if you love those who love you, what reward do you have? Do not even the tax collectors do the same? And if you greet only your brothers and sisters, what more are you doing than others? Do not even the Gentiles do the same? Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect."