Today marks the 24th anniversary of one of the darkest days in American history: on September 11, 2001, hijacked planes piloted by al-Qaeda extremists slammed into the Twin Towers of the World Trade Center in New York, claiming 2,977 innocent lives.

Two days later, on September 13, I walked through the choking haze of debris blanketing Ground Zero, where search-and-rescue teams toiled desperately amid the twisted steel and lingering echoes of chaos. The sight left me shattered—not just by the scale of the loss, but by humanity’s tragic failure to bridge our divides without resorting to such unimaginable violence.

This morning, we are reeling from yesterday’s tragic murder of Charlie Kirk at Utah Valley University—a sniper’s bullet cut short his life as he engaged with students in political dialogue. With the shooter still at large in a sprawling manhunt, this tragedy chips away at yet another fragment of our shared humanity, reminding us how fragile the space for civil discourse truly is.

As Kirk’s death reminds us, no matter how fiercely we disagree on politics, ideology, or social issues, violence is never the answer. It only deepens the divides in our fractured society.

History offers painful proof. In 1963, President John F. Kennedy was gunned down in Dallas. The next year, 1968 brought twin assassinations: Martin Luther King Jr., champion of non-violent civil rights, fell in Memphis; and Senator Robert F. Kennedy, a Democrat calling for unity, was shot in Los Angeles after a hopeful speech. President Gerald Ford survived two attempts in 1975. Ronald Reagan endured one in 1981. And just last year, 2024, President Donald Trump faced gunfire. These leaders—from both parties and across decades—shaped our democracy through words and votes, not weapons.

As followers of Christ, we are summoned to a better way. In the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus declared, “Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God” (Matthew 5:9). Facing fierce opposition, He responded with love—even praying for His executioners from the cross. In our anger-prone world, Jesus shows us how to “turn the other cheek” and “love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you” (Matthew 5:44). Violence defies this call; it fuels hatred, not healing.

I wrestle with this too. When a debate sparks irritation, I can feel that inner frustration rise. In those moments, I must pause: Is this turning me toward prayer, honest dialogue, or peaceful advocacy? Or away from them? I don’t always succeed. We all share this human struggle; anger comes naturally, but violence is a choice we reject. Instead, let’s pledge empathy, active listening, and bridge-building. In honor of 9/11’s victims, Charlie Kirk, and all lost to political violence, may we walk the path of peace—trusting God’s love to turn our conflicts into chances for grace and deeper understanding.

Lord, make us instruments of Your peace. Amen.

Pastor George