Remembering 9/11

Can you recall what you were doing on September 11th, 2001, at about 1.45pm? Each year, as the calendar turns to September 11th, hearts across the world recall the horrific scenes of that day when acts of terror claimed the lives of thousands and scarred countless others. For Christians, the anniversary of 9/11 is not only a day of remembrance, but also an invitation to reflect upon how faith in Christ shapes our response to tragedy, loss, and the ongoing realities of violence in the world.

Scripture consistently calls God’s people to remember. Israel was instructed to set aside memorials so that future generations would not forget either God’s deliverance or human suffering. To remember the events of 9/11 is to honour those whose lives were cut short, to hold in prayer the families who still grieve, and to stand alongside survivors who continue to carry wounds both visible and hidden. Christian remembrance is never cold recollection; it is rooted in compassion, a willingness to share in another’s burden.

The anniversary inevitably raises questions of justice, anger, and the desire for retribution. Many struggled—and still struggle—with Jesus’ command to forgive “seventy times seven” (Matthew 18:22). Forgiveness does not excuse wrongdoing or diminish evil, but it does prevent hatred from taking root in the heart. As Christians, we are called to seek the difficult path of forgiving those who harm us, entrusting ultimate judgment to God. This calling remains deeply countercultural in the face of terror, yet it is the path Christ himself walked on the cross.

Remembering 9/11 also compels Christians to renew their commitment to peacemaking. The Beatitudes remind us: “Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God” (Matthew 5:9). On this anniversary, believers should ask: how can we contribute to reconciliation in our families, communities, and world? How can we ensure that cycles of hatred and division are broken rather than perpetuated? Christian remembrance is never passive; it should stir us into active pursuit of peace.

Most importantly, the anniversary must be viewed in the light of resurrection hope. Terror seeks to instil fear and despair, but Christ’s triumph over death declares that evil will not have the final word. As Christians, we do not remember 9/11 as those without hope. We entrust the dead to God’s mercy, we trust in Christ’s promise of eternal life, and we live in the assurance that one day, God will wipe every tear from every eye (Revelation 21:4).

For Christians, the anniversary of 9/11 is not merely about recalling a past event.

It is a sacred opportunity: to weep with those who weep, to practise forgiveness, to recommit ourselves to the work of peace, and to affirm the hope that is ours in Christ. In this way, remembrance becomes more than memory—it becomes an act of faith, hope, and love that points to God’s redemptive purposes even amid the darkest hours of human history.