On Sept. 11th, there were news stories, services of remembrance, and moments of silence wherever we turned. We all took time to recall the 10th anniversay of Sept. 11, 2011.
Our country marks another 10th anniversary this week, to little or no fanfare. On Oct. 7, 2011, it will be 10 years since we started the war in Afghanistan. Strange that our nation's longest war gets so little attention.
World War I lasted four years.
World War II lasted six years.
The War in Afghanistan has lasted ten years, and it is not over yet.
Two thousand American soldiers have lost their lives.
Tens of thousands of Afghan people have died.
Our country has spent $445 trillion on this war.
This is a time for mourning. This is a time for repentance.
This is a time to pray for peace.
This is a time to remember the words of the prophet Isaiah:
Yahweh shall judge between the nations,
and shall arbitrate for many peoples;
they shall beat their swords into plowshares,
and their spears into pruning hooks;
nation shall not lift up sword against nation,
neither shall they learn war any more.
(Isaiah 2:4)
Act for peace. There will be a peace demonstration at noon on Saturday, Oct. 8, at Congress Parkway and Michigan Avenue in Chicago. Bring a flag. Witness for peace and an end to this war. Remember the price we have paid, as we remembered those who lost their lives on 9/11. This sacrifice is even greater.
A group from Oak Park will meet at the Oak Park El station at 11:00 am and travel together.
In the name of the Prince of Peace, Shalom and Salaam.
No comments:
Post a Comment