Fraternity-Testvériség, 2001 (79. évfolyam, 1-4. szám)
2001-04-01 / 2. szám
FRATERNITY Page 3 REMEMBERING SEPTEMBER 11, 2001 September 11, 2001 is etched not only with bloody hands into the history of the United States of America, but also into the hearts of men throughout the world. On this beautiful morning, people started out for work in anticipation of another normal day. These were people pursuing their careers and making a livelihood for themselves and their loved ones. The rays of the sun lit the New York skyline and rested upon the symbols of man’s accomplishments - the pinnacles of the World Trade Center. People, like ants in comparison with these huge buildings, were going about their lives filled with dreams and plans. Then at 8:45 A.M., it seemed that our whole world stopped when the first hijacked airline flew into the restricted airspace around the World Trade Center. Working men and women so used to the noise of the city perhaps never realized what was about to occur. When the first airplane hit the building, it was evident that something big was happening. The building shook as if it wanted to shake off the tremendous strain on its wonderful structural beauty; but instead, the tremendous blow of the plane, which was carrying its passengers to their destinations, became a living bomb that destroyed man’s creation. Everyone looking up at the buildings shook their heads in disbelief, hardly realizing what was really happening. It was like a bad dream when it happened the second time. Even today many of us are awestruck by the happenings of that day. We can hardly remember the chronology of events. No sooner had the tragedy hit New York than our attention was drawn to Washington, D.C., where a hijacked plane crashed into the Pentagon, and to Pennsylvania, where another hijacked plane crashed after its passengers heroically, but in vain, tried to overtake the terrorists. While the witnessed events shocked us all, in reflection we ask ourselves, “How could anything like this have happened?” We will never find a satisfactory answer. We will never understand how people, regardless of where they came from, what their agenda was, could allow themselves to complete such a diabolical act. The facts, however, speak for themselves. As children of God, created in His image and who have been given the right to multiply and replenish this earth, all we can do is reflect upon a God who is the supreme leader of the universe and ask, “Why would God allow such an inhuman act to destroy all that He has created?” The answer that He gives may not help us to understand the events. It may not heal the hurts, it may not comfort our broken hearts, but nevertheless we must understand that “His ways are not our ways.” We who believe in God must first of all remember that the sad events of September 11, 2001 were NOT His acts. He would NEVER want us to go through an experience like that. God is a loving God. What we saw and experienced on that day was the evil that men do. God, our gracious Heavenly Father, who fashioned us and loves us with infinite love, does not act that way - but we do! He wants us to “love one another, as He has loved us,” but instead we go our own way, turning away from Him, acting as though we had never known Him. The time has now come for us to turn from our evil ways and to turn to the Lord. This is the time to unite ourselves with the children of God throughout the whole world and say “enough” to terrorism and to those whose desire is to bring hate and disunity into our world. We know that God’s greatest ambition is to come to our aid, to offer us His loving arms upon which we may rest and feel His comfort and peace. We, the members of the Hungarian Reformed Federation of America, spread throughout this great land, stand united and in sympathy toward those who through the evil acts of terrorism lost their lives; with those who were injured and with those whose families are broken; with those dedicated firemen and policemen, who not only fulfilled their chosen vocation of helping their fellowmen in trouble, but who carried the declaration of Jesus our Lord to the fullest that, “there is no greater love in any as in one who gives his life for others.” We, the members of the Hungarian Reformed Federation of America, together with our branches, districts, Board of Directors and National Officers, and our office staff at our National Headquarters in Washington, D.C., with all believing brothers and sisters of this great land, express our heartfelt sympathy to those who have been and still are sadly touched by this evil act, and pledge our support to those God-fearing and committed children of our Lord who desire to bring their faith and their lives to fulfill the command of our Lord to build a world with peace and goodwill among the children of God. Rev. Stefan M. Torok / \ As with people throughout the world, we at the Hungarian Reformed Federation of America are shocked and saddened by the horrific events of September 11, 2001. As we pray for the victims and families and struggle to come to terms with our own emotions, we all feel the need and desire to provide aid and support for those whose lives have been forever changed by these cowardly and despicable acts. Since this aid and support will be necessary for years to come, we are in the process of determining the best method for our organization and our members to deliver this aid. Being aware of the many concerns regarding possible misuse and misappropriation of relief funds, the HRFA wants to make every effort to ensure that this aid eventually ends up in the hands of the truly needy and deserving. We will provide more detailed information concerning HRFA participation in and contribution to September 11, 2001 relief efforts in the near future. GOD BLESS AMERICA!
