This weekend marked the 15-year anniversary for the 9/11 attacks. As a nation, we remembered together in a variety of ways. Some of those traditions cross years of time and culture.
Ancient Israelites marked important events and places by setting up a stone or pile of stones. They drew attention to the site and begged the question of “what happened here,” giving opportunity for the story to be told. This carries into a Jewish tradition today of leaving a stone on a grave marker. It says that the departed will be remembered. But there is also a suggestion of “I will continue to build on what you started.”
Modern monuments and memorials serve the same purpose. Those erected at Ground Zero serve not only to remind us of the horrific events of that day, but also to honor the bravery and sacrifice we witnessed. In addition to remembering, I hope these markers serve as a catalyst to build on the actions of those heroes – to love our neighbor, even to the point of sacrifice.
There is no greater love than to lay down one's life for one's friends. John 15:13
