"Remember" - September 11, 2011 Sermon

Scripture: Romans 12:17-21 and Matthew 18:21-35

Romans 12:17-21
17 Do not repay anyone evil for evil, but take thought for what is noble in the sight of all. 18 If it is possible, so far as it depends on you, live peaceably with all. 19 Beloved, never avenge yourselves, but leave room for the wrath of God; for it is written, "Vengeance is mine, I will repay, says the Lord." 20 No, "if your enemies are hungry, feed them; if they are thirsty, give them something to drink; for by doing this you will heap burning coals on their heads." 21 Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.

Matthew 18:21-35
21 Then Peter came and said to him, "Lord, if another member of the church sins against me, how often should I forgive? As many as seven times?" 22 Jesus said to him, "Not seven times, but, I tell you, seventyseven times.

23 "For this reason the kingdom of heaven may be compared to a king who wished to settle accounts with his slaves. 24 When he began the reckoning, one who owed him ten thousand talents was brought to him; 25 and, as he could not pay, his lord ordered him to be sold, together with his wife and children and all his possessions, and payment to be made. 26 So the slave fell on his knees before him, saying, 'Have patience with me, and I will pay you everything.' 27 And out of pity for him, the lord of that slave released him and forgave him the debt. 28 But that same slave, as he went out, came upon one of his fellow slaves who owed him a hundred denarii; and seizing him by the throat, he said, 'Pay what you owe.' 29 Then his fellow slave fell down and pleaded with him, 'Have patience with me, and I will pay you.' 30 But he refused; then he went and threw him into prison until he would pay the debt. 31 When his fellow slaves saw what had happened, they were greatly distressed, and they went and reported to their lord all that had taken place. 32 Then his lord summoned him and said to him, 'You wicked slave! I forgave you all that debt because you pleaded with me. 33 Should you not have had mercy on your fellow slave, as I had mercy on you?' 34 And in anger his lord handed him over to be tortured until he would pay his entire debt. 35 So my heavenly Father will also do to every one of you, if you do not forgive your brother or sister from your heart."

The Sermon:
Today is the tenth anniversary of 9/11. I confess to you this morning that I am not up to the task of giving you words that will address the horror and legacy of 9/11 in any way that is fully consoling. As we all struggle to find images and stories that might reveal the depth of our emotions, I ask all of you to go back in time to that infamous day and try to remember where you were… what you were doing…and how you were feeling as that event unfolded. Later in this service, you will have an opportunity, if you so desire, to let your feelings be known.

I have asked a few people to begin this portion of the service with their own personal remembrances and then I will call upon those who would like to share their story of that day. I hope you all understand that this place we are in is a ‘sanctuary’. One definition of sanctuary is , “a safe place, a refuge, and a place of immunity.” So you are free to speak your true feelings… there will be no condemnations or judgments.

[Jack and other members of the congregation shared their personal remembrances of 9/11]