Ten years later — a time to forgive

It’s the 10th anniversary of the September 11 attacks. It’s a time to pause and honor those who lost their lives in what may be the worst attack on American soil, ever.  

The last ten years may have altered the course of history in ways that will take decades to describe. Yet, I feel it is time time to do all we can to move forward. So, for me, I want to focus on how to forgive.

For me, moving forward begins with forgiveness. The anger, sadness, and confusion which surrounds the September 11th attacks may never be entirely understood, but I know attempting to understand the insanityPublic Domain / World Trade Center prior to 2001 which caused the attacks will never heal anything.

Honestly, I feel the only I can describe 9/11 is with the word insanity. So for me, to move forward I need to start with the opposite—divine intelligence. Christian Science has taught me that the origin and keeper of all true intelligence and wisdom is God, divine Principle.

So how do I begin? Through Christian Science, I’ve learned that I must always begin with my thought, my views—I must start locally. I also must begin by handling and casting out the fear, anger, prejudices, worry, and doubts in my own thought through God’s pure love which removes these impediments. Once the fear is handled and removed, I can begin to look outward—move globally—in thought.

The basis of this healing power and law, divine Love, was best expressed by Christ Jesus who showed mankind, through the crucifixion and his resurrection, that life is eternal. He also showed mankind that forgiveness is the key to moving forward. At the very height of being crucified, Jesus forgave them who were blinded by a jealous and insane will for human power. This may have been a key point to why he was able to be resurrected. Rather than hanging on to sadness, anger, and confusion, Jesus turned whole-heartedly to divine Love and its uplifting and purifying power.

Jesus knew that no matter what, God, divine Love, was not the cause of hate, error, or evil. He knew that God does not punish man for being, or doing good. Rather, Jesus knew that God was a loving Father, the Protector (see Psalm 91) who is infinite good. And Jesus reflected that grace and compassion even at the darkest point of his excellent career.  

For me, divine Love, and reflecting compassion is where I want to begin. With intelligence I know God is not the cause or author of such ugly circumstances. With compassion I can see that all people are my brothers and sisters. Rather than looking back with disgust, I prefer to look forward with hope and understanding. I know that God, divine Love, will lead us all out of the darkness of hate and fear. On this basis I feel I can help the world get to a better place. 

Then said Jesus, Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do.  
—Luke 23:34

The Christian Scientist cherishes no resentment; he knows that that would harm him more than all the malice of his foes. Brethren, even as Jesus forgave, forgive thou. I say it with joy, — no person can commit an offense against me that I cannot forgive. Meekness is the armor of a Christian, his shield and his buckler. He entertains angels who listens to the lispings of repentance seen in a tear — happier than the conqueror of a world. To the burdened and weary, Jesus saith: “Come unto me.” O glorious hope! there remaineth a rest for the righteous, a rest in Christ, a peace in Love. The thought of it stills complaint; the heaving surf of life’s troubled sea foams itself away, and underneath is a deep-settled calm.

—Mary Baker Eddy, Message for 1902, p19