Monday of the Twenty-third Week in Ordinary Time
Everyone in this country recalls the horror of the attacks of 9-11-2001 on the World Trade Center, Pentagon, and fields of Pennsylvania. Many watched on TV as the tragedy unfolded before our very eyes. Many people died that day. Others died later because of the attacks. And things changed that day and thereafter.
Sunday’s Gospel gave us a foundation stone, if you will, of our faith as Christians. “Where two or three are gathered I am there in their midst.” With such a powerful presence, the call to love one’s neighbor comes through loud and clear. It stands in stark contrast to what happened on 9-11-2001.
Today Paul reminds us of the great mystery we treasure—namely “Christ in you, the hope for glory.” Yes, Christ is in us and in our world. Some have said, “Where was God on 9-11?” God was right there in the midst of it all, though it might have been extremely hard to see. But God is present with us His holy ones always. And when one suffers, all suffer (borrowing from Corinthians). Where two or three are gathered, there am I in their midst, in the midst of joys and sorrows, tragedies, and triumphs.
Reflection by Fr. Peter Ullrich, OSB
Posted in Articles for Ordinary Time, Daily Reflections