Wondering about 9/11

Wondering about 9/11.

We can all remember what we were doing and where we were as the events of 9/11 began to unfold on that fateful day.  I was working on a dental patient who would periodically interrupt me and point to the overhead TV screen as first one plane and then another struck the twin towers, then other planes crashed in Pa. and into the Pentagon. This followed by the horror of the towers crumbling into oblivion.  Remembering can conjure up many emotions; fear, anger, and sadness come readily to mind.    9/11 has become more than just another memory, it has become one of those landmark signposts around which we define our history and has significantly shaped who we are becoming as a people and how we view the world we live in.  I find myself wondering, how has it has shaped us?  How are we different because of what we experience?

One question in particular has drawn my attention.  What impact does the church have in the shaping what is happening?

It was interesting, for example, that immediately following 9/11 there was an immediate shift in interest in spirituality, prayer, and faith.  Houses of faiths of all kinds experienced a significant increase in attendance.  It became instantly more relevant to speak of faith, prayer, and God.  Even the media, which normally excludes any spiritual dimension to life as they “report” events seemed more apt to make mention of prayer and faith as we witnessed acts heroism, loss, fear, and grief, and began to try to make sense out of what we were seeing and experiencing.

As we noted the influx of people into churches and houses of faith, I like many, was skeptical that this interest in things spiritual would last.  The expectation has become the reality as over a relatively short period of time we have reverted back to the same patterns with decreased attendance and a marginalization of things spiritual in our daily lives.

Now I wonder… if the events of 9/11 exposed something missing in our lives as would seem to be indicated by our fear, grief, interest in spirituality, and questions that turned so many to the Church for answers and comfort, what is the meaning of their subsequent leaving in essentially the same numbers?  Does it say something about them, or about us, the Church?  If they came seeking help and comfort for their fears, doubts, and wounds and have now left, does that mean we had little to offer, so they moved on?  It can certainly mean that they did not want what we had to offer, because a call to follow Jesus is not always a popular one, but should we be quick to jump to that conclusion?  When a national trauma of that magnitude exposes such a deep hunger in so many, did/does the Church have a credible answer, or more importantly, a credible life to speak into the times?  Does my/our rush to cynicism expose a weakness in them or in us?  And if it exposes a weakness in us, what is my part in that?  I wonder?