On the Sunday after 9/11/2001

When I began to prepare for my sermon this week--the Sunday after 9/11--I came across notes for the sermon I prepared in 2001 for the first Sunday after 9/11. In 2001 Sunday fell on September 16th. We were all still in shock. Today my response may seem a bit simplistic, but I was newly ordained and felt a responsibility to open the scriptures as we all tried to make sense out of the most recent events. On the other hand, I don't know what else I would say even today. We still need to be reminded of these truths. My thoughts were based on Romans 12:9--13:4.

We have a new standard for marking time. It pivots on an exact minute, 8:48 a.m. EST (7:48 a.m. our time), Tuesday morning, September 11, 2001—before the terrorist strike and after the terrorist strike. In these last few days we have heard newscasters, political analysts, mental health care providers, ministers, and even children--all trying to help us make sense out of what has happened.

As I listened and watched, the focus of the comments moved from the attack to thoughts of retaliation and revenge. As this hate rhetoric mounted, a scripture kept coming to my mind: “Vengeance is mine, I will repay, says the Lord.” Romans 12:19

In the larger context this verse sits in a text that describes personal responsibilities as followers of Christ when we have the urge to seek revenge.

Romans 12:14, 17-21

Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse. Rejoice with those who rejoice; mourn with those who mourn. Do not repay anyone evil for evil. Be careful to do what is right in the eyes of everybody. If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone. Do not take revenge, my friends, but leave room for God's wrath, for it is written: "It is mine to avenge; I will repay," says the Lord. On the contrary: "If your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink. In doing this, you will heap burning coals on his head."

Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.

Then, in this same context, scripture spells out the government’s responsibility toward evil. The governing authorities, according to these verses, are God's servant, "an agent of wrath to bring punishment on the wrongdoer."

Romans 3:1-4

Everyone must submit himself to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except that which God has established. The authorities that exist have been established by God. Consequently, he who rebels against the authority is rebelling against what God has instituted, and those who do so will bring judgment on themselves. For rulers hold no terror for those who do right, but for those who do wrong. Do you want to be free from fear of the one in authority? Then do what is right and he will commend you. For he is God's servant to do you good. But if you do wrong, be afraid, for he does not bear the sword for nothing. He is God's servant, an agent of wrath to bring punishment on the wrongdoer.

Let's look closer at our personal responsibilities when we are confronted with evil. In the larger context of Romans 12 we are admonished to elevate good over evil; to hang on to hope and find joy as we hope for a good outcome and work to that end. Be patient in the most difficult circumstances and in your patience, persevere in prayer. Don't let the adverse circumstances make you forget your spiritual connection with the Lord. In case fear begins to take hold, this passage reminds us not to be fearful of strangers, but rather extend hospitality to them! How can we open ourselves to those who are different from us? That thought challenges us.

We are to pursue a peaceful life with everyone, as far as it is possible. Remember, Jesus blessed the peacemakers. Vengeance is left to God. We are to be instruments of good and promote goodwill, even to the point of feeding those we consider to be our enemies! If we as followers of Christ and fail to exude God’s goodness, evil will overcome us! Vengeance belongs to God. This sums up our personal responsibility as Christians when we stand face to face with evil (according to these particular verses).

In light of our present situation here in the United States, I find it interesting that the government's responsibilities are spelled out in the very next verses! The governing authorities are God’s servants for good to bring an end to evil. And the government executes God’s wrath on the wrongdoer, even to the point of taking up arms against evil.

Sometimes the church forgets to be the church! We forget to let our position in Christ define us. And without that spiritual definition in Christ we reach for a secular, national identity that wants to be vengeful. But the church universal transcends national boundaries. If we fail to see our identity and responsibility in Christ as first and foremost, then we are a foolish people.

THAT WAS THE HEART OF MY SERMON ON SEPTEMBER 16, 2001—five days after 9/11. With the polarization of our nation today, perhaps we need to read Romans 12 and 13 again.