Today, we, as a nation, have paused to remember the most devastating terrorist attacks on the United States. Ten years ago today, we all remember where we were when news of the attacks reached us. We will all remember those devastating pictures of airplanes being flown into the towers of the World Trade Center, the explosion at the Pentagon, as well as the extraordinary acts of heroism from ordinary citizens on United 93 and from the first responders in New York and Washington.

On September 11, 2001, I was in the second month of 8th grade. As we were sitting in Pre-Algebra class reviewing our previous night’s homework, the P.E. coach walked into the room and asked the teacher to step out into the hallway. When our teacher came back in, he immediately turned the television on and told us that two airplanes had apparently been hijacked and flown into the World Trade Centers. As we saw the WTC towers burning, ABC News went to a picture of the Pentagon and we began to try to understand what was happening.

As the morning went on and classes changed, every middle school teacher had the television on in their classrooms. During that time, we all witnessed individuals jumping from buildings, escaping a living hell. At that point, it became too much for most of us.

September 11, 2001 changed the United States and the rest of the world. No longer did we view acts of terrorism as a simple crime; we now view terrorism as an act of war. The manner in which we go about our daily lives has changed as well. No longer do we believe in the notion of invincibility in America. The U.S. is increasingly vulnerable to future terrorist attacks and we will be forever vigilant.

Many may ask, doesn’t that mean the terrorists have won in a sense? To be perfectly honest, the terrorists HAVE won a partial victory in the War on Terror because our way of life has changed drastically as a result of the events of that day. However, even though they may have won a battle, the terrorists will never win the war because the American spirit and our unending pursuit of freedom will continue forever!

As we go about this day, let us remember those innocent civilians who lost their lives in the World Trade Center, the Pentagon, and the fields of Pennsylvania. Let us also remember the men and women who responded to the scenes, who risked their own lives to save others. We also remember the men and women who continue to spread the cause of freedom abroad.

As we remember the somber events of this day ten years ago, let us be unified in our unending defense of freedom and unshaken in our resolve to bring the love of Christ to all. After all, it will be love that brings an end to acts of hate and violence throughout the world.

Article 3. The Seven Petitions

II. “Thy Kingdom Come”

(2816) In the New Testament, the word basileia can be translated by “kingship” (abstract noun), “kingdom” (concrete noun) or “reign” (action noun). The Kingdom of God lies ahead of us. It is brought near in the Word incarnate, it is proclaimed throughout the whole Gospel, and it has come in Christ’s death and Resurrection. The Kingdom of God has been coming since the Last Supper and, in the Eucharist, it is in our midst. The kingdom will come in glory when Christ hands it over to his Father:

It may even be . . . that the Kingdom of God means Christ himself, whom we daily desire to come, and whose coming we wish to be manifested quickly to us. For as he is our resurrection, since in him we rise, so he can also be understood as the Kingdom of God, for in him we shall reign.

(2817) This petition is “Marana tha,” the cry of the Spirit and the Bride: “Come, Lord Jesus.”

Even if it had not been prescribed to pray for the coming of the kingdom, we would willingly have brought forth this speech, eager to embrace our hope. In indignation the souls of the martyrs under the altar cry out to the Lord: “O Sovereign Lord, holy and true, how long before you judge and avenge our blood on those who dwell upon the earth?” For their retribution is ordained for the end of the world. Indeed, as soon as possible, Lord, may your kingdom come!

Article 2. Participation in Social Life

I. Authority (cont’d)

Credit: Dominican Sisters of St. Cecilia, Nashville

(1904) “It is preferable that each power be balanced by other powers and by other spheres of responsibility which keep it within proper bounds. This is the principle of the ‘rule of law,’ in which the law is sovereign and not the arbitrary will of men.”

II. The Common Good

(1905) In keeping with the social nature of man, the good of each individual is necessarily related to the common good, which in turn can be defined only in reference to the human person:

Do not live entirely isolated, having retreated into yourselves, as if you were already justified, but gather instead to seek the common good together.

(1906) By common good is to be understood “the sum total of social conditions which allow people, either as groups or as individuals, to reach their fulfillment more fully and more easily.” The common good concerns the life of all. It calls for prudence from each, and even more from those who exercise the office of authority. It consists of three essential elements:

Article 8. Sin

In Brief (cont’d)

World Youth Day 2008 | Credit: AP

(1876) The repetition of sins—even venial ones—engenders vices, among which are the capital sins.

Chapter 2. The Human Community

(1877) The vocation of humanity is to show forth the image of God and to be transformed into the image of the Father’s only Son. This vocation takes a personal form since each of us is called to enter into the divine beatitude; it also concerns the human community as a whole.

Article 1. The Person and Society

I. The Communal Character of the Human Vocation

(1878) All men are called to the same end: God himself. There is a certain resemblance between the unity of the divine persons and the fraternity that men are to establish among themselves in truth and love. Love of neighbor is inseparable from love for God.

Article 8. Sin

IV. The Gravity of Sin: Mortal and Venial Sin (cont’d)

Cain and Abel | Vecellio

(1862) One commits venial sin when, in a less serious matter, he does not observe the standard prescribed by the moral law, or when he disobeys the moral law in a grave matter, but without full knowledge or without complete consent.

(1863) Venial sin weakens charity; it manifests a disordered affection for created goods; it impedes the soul’s progress in the exercise of the virtues and the practice of the moral good; it merits temporal punishment. Deliberate and unrepented venial sin disposes us little by little to commit mortal sin. However venial sin does not break the covenant with God. With God’s grace it is humanly reparable. “Venial sin does not deprive the sinner of sanctifying grace, friendship with God, charity, and consequently eternal happiness.”

While he is in the flesh, man cannot help but have at least some light sins. But do not despise these sins which we call “light”: if you take them for light when you weigh them, tremble when you count them. A number of light objects makes a great mass; a number of drops fills a river; a number of grains makes a heap. What then is our hope? Above all, confession. . . .

(1864) “Therefore I tell you, every sin and blasphemy will be forgiven men, but the blasphemy against the Spirit will not be forgiven.” There are no limits to the mercy of God, but anyone who deliberately refuses to accept his mercy by repenting, rejects the forgiveness of his sins and the salvation offered by the Holy Spirit. Such hardness of heart can lead to final impenitence and eternal loss.