Today is the fifth anniversary of the September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks upon the United States of America...
9/11, therefore, because of the horrific destruction and the tremendous loss of life, will live on forever in infamy.
But in memory of this event, at 10 o'clock in the morning, the Superintendent of the facility opened the chapel so that a memorial service could be held for those prisoners who wished to attend. And I went.
I believe that, for the most part, the atmosphere of the nation, especially in and around New York City, has been sad and somber. Many are reflecting on the tragedy. Right now, we're a nation in pain.
I was pleased, however, to see about sixty-five men show up. There was also a fair representation of the various races which make up the prison's population. Blacks, Whites, Hispanics, and a few men of Asian descent were in attendance. I sat near the back where I was able to observe things.
The service was directed by two of the facility's chaplains. My chaplain, Pastor Carl Stiglich, when it was his turn to speak, read from Psalm 103.
Much of the service, though, was devoted to saying prayers for the families of those who died as well as for those who survived the attacks and are still recovering from their injuries. We are encouraged by these clergymen to think about our own mortality, too.
What came to mind, as the chaplains were giving their respective but similar messages, was a verse from the Bible, which says: "Whereas ye know not what shall be on the morrow. For what is your life? It is even a vapour, that appeareth for a little time, and then vanish away" (James 4:14).
Life is short. When we compare it to eternity, it's like one tiny grain of sand on a beach that's hundreds of miles long.
Eternity has no end. It's forever.
D.B.
But in memory of this event, at 10 o'clock in the morning, the Superintendent of the facility opened the chapel so that a memorial service could be held for those prisoners who wished to attend. And I went.
I believe that, for the most part, the atmosphere of the nation, especially in and around New York City, has been sad and somber. Many are reflecting on the tragedy. Right now, we're a nation in pain.
I was pleased, however, to see about sixty-five men show up. There was also a fair representation of the various races which make up the prison's population. Blacks, Whites, Hispanics, and a few men of Asian descent were in attendance. I sat near the back where I was able to observe things.
The service was directed by two of the facility's chaplains. My chaplain, Pastor Carl Stiglich, when it was his turn to speak, read from Psalm 103.
Much of the service, though, was devoted to saying prayers for the families of those who died as well as for those who survived the attacks and are still recovering from their injuries. We are encouraged by these clergymen to think about our own mortality, too.
What came to mind, as the chaplains were giving their respective but similar messages, was a verse from the Bible, which says: "Whereas ye know not what shall be on the morrow. For what is your life? It is even a vapour, that appeareth for a little time, and then vanish away" (James 4:14).
Life is short. When we compare it to eternity, it's like one tiny grain of sand on a beach that's hundreds of miles long.
Eternity has no end. It's forever.
D.B.
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