In the Aftermath of Terror
John Michael Talbot - Thursday, September 13, 2001

The war of terror has struck. Disbelief has turned to shock, and shock to anger. In some, anger is settling into hatred. The call for retaliation and vengeance is now being sounded. This is always a most dangerous time after a wrong has been committed against an individual or a nation.

At the monastery we have wept often in the last days, and prayed constantly. We are still in mourning beyond words of description. Yet some words are appropriate.

Around the country the worst of humanity has brought out the best. We pray for the victims and their families and loved ones. We pray for the countless acts of courage by rescue workers, and the unsung heroes in New York City, Washington DC, and on the flight that crashed outside of Pittsburgh.

But as anger turns to vengeance, hatred, and retaliation we must be most careful. What began as good response to an unspeakable and cowardly war crime could turn to a terrible reaction instead of just response. We must stay steady and calm.

No major world religion supports anger and vengeance. Though the aggressor may be wrong, these things are never the best solution. This is not the way to God's justice. This is especially true for the followers of Jesus.

Through the cross of Jesus followers of Christ first let go of any vestige of the old self-centered person, or of individual or collective false ego. Then we can be raised up as a new person of gentleness, meekness and love. Only then can we find justice of God rooted in mercy.

Some cloak selfish actions and reactions in religious language. We mask revenge with talk of "justice," and sinful anger in talk of "righteous anger." But God sees through the disguise.

True, the scriptures speak of a righteous anger. Jesus was angry when He overturned the moneychanger's tables in the Temple. But more primarily the scriptures warn, " Human anger does not work the righteousness of God." In the Sermon on the Mount Jesus teaches us to love our enemy and turn the other cheek in conflict. Can we really say that we love the terrorists while disapproving terrorism?

The monastic way teaches to look to our own faults before looking at others'. This is especially true when we are the victims of injustice. We are to ask what we did to first offend the aggressor? We are not to blame the aggressor alone. We must bear some of the responsibility. Only then can we be free of the anger that clouds our clarity, and discover a greater justice of God.

In the scriptures, God frequently uses the seemingly unjust aggression of an ungodly nation to awaken and teach His people a lesson when they have strayed from His path. It does not justify the aggression of the ungodly, but uses this extreme measure to get the attention of a people who have strayed from God in an extreme way. He has our attention now!

How are Christians to respond? We are to love friend and enemy. We are to pray for those lost, those who survive, and even those who committed this war unspeakable crime against humanity. We are also to look for the deeper ways in which we can turn back to God.

Regarding our western lifestyle; are we living the simplicity of Jesus that balances the scales between the rich and poor of this world? If not, the poor will rise up in violence against us. Are we living the religious chastity and holy moderation that raises the respect for human life? If not, others will not respect us. Are we living an obedience that raises our sense of interdependence with all peoples of this world and all creation? If not, others will become cut off from us, and creation herself will rise up against us. Lastly, are we letting go of false ego and pride as individuals and as a nation to calm our anger and allow us to really find the justice of God?

We stand with our president and congress as they evaluate and take action. We pray for them, and all who will respond. We realize that external military action or economic sanction will be superficial corrections at best. We also have the courage to look within and also change ourselves. We must turn back to God. Then will we have learned the deeper lesson this tragedy can teach us.

John Michael Talbot