"Into the Fire"

Today is the seventh anniversary of the attacks on the World Trade Center, the Pentagon, and on flight #93. Today is September 11. All across the country, memorials are being held in honor of those that lost their lives and in honor of those who gave their lives in service to the fallen. It is appropriate that we take a moment to remember what happened and, hopefully, to take stock of how we have responded. While the events of 9/11 are tragic, it is important to remember that much good emerged from that day.
Bruce Springsteen's album "The Rising" was the first one that he released after 9/11. On that album, he has a song entitled "Into the Fire" that honors the first responders, the men and women that were running up the stairs of the World Trade Center when others were running down. Bruce writes, "The sky was falling and streaked with blood, I heard you calling me then you disappeared into the dust. Up the stairs, into the fire. Up the stairs, into the fire. I need your kiss, but love and duty called you someplace higher, somewhere up the stairs, into the fire.
Bruce affirms the courage and selflessness of these true American heroes. But, he does more than that. He calls on all of us to live out the values that these folks exhibited. The refrain of the song pleads (or maybe prays), "May your strength give us strength. May your faith give us faith. May your hope give us hope. May your love give us love." In other words, may your selfless love be an example for us as a way to be in this world.
With all due respect to Bruce Springsteen (after all, he is "the boss"), I would like to mention that Christians should already live this value out. Our faith was founded on the sacrificial self-giving love of Jesus Christ. And it is just that kind of love that will win God's kingdom. So, you see, what is important is not just that we remember 9/11. For that is not enough. What is important to remember, and to be changed - not by our anger at the perpetrators - but by the self-giving, sacrificial love that was exhibited for all the world to see. There is no truer witness to the love that God has for creation.