A Litany for September 11, 2001

Peace to you my sisters and brothers on this tragic day of violence
The clouds of smoke, the pillars of fire,
the descending rubble
Like a mini-Hiroshima
Is etched upon my brain
With unthinkable carnage yet to come
Peace to you stricken with shock and grief
Peace to you laughing over what you feel is victory
Peace to you planning revenge
I weep for America who oppresses the innocent, hides behind
    democracy, and reaps what it sows
I weep for the persecuted who in utter desperation
    resort to violence
I weep for the lives lost--
By slow tortuous subjugation
By explosion and flame
May we strengthen our resolve to spread Jesus' Gospel of peace
    and love of enemies
May we strengthen our resolve to engage the powers of hate and
    greed--no matter what the cost
May we strengthen our resolve to work for justice
    around the world
God be with us
God save us
God redeem us