Since the day that Cain raised his hand against Abel, his brother, the people God made in his image have turned to violence to express their hate for one another. We know that St. Paul admonishes the Church in Romans 12:17, “Do not repay anyone evil for evil; be concerned for what is noble in the sight of all.” There are times when we may find ourselves tempted to take the path of repayment and to ignore our calling to nobility.

On this day, when we remember the sight of our security and sense of invulnerability rising to the heavens in a plume of smoke and a cloud of ash, we recall, as well, the lives of all who died on that day. We give God thanks for the time they spent in our midst, living among us as fellow children of our Father in heaven.

God calls us to times of prayer. We pray for our broken world, for all who act in anger or who harbor hatred in their hearts. We pray for all who suffer the pain of grief and the gnawing loss of loved ones. We pray for all who place their lives in jeopardy to protect their fellow citizens and to promote freedom and justice.

And as we pray, we recall the Psalmist’s words from Psalm 141, “Let my prayer be incense before you; my uplifted hands an evening sacrifice.” We give thanks that our prayers rise, sweet-smelling, to mingle with the prayers of God’s people in all times and places, so that “in all things God may be glorified.”