We know as Catholics as we leave behind the Easter season culminating in the great feast of Pentecost June 8 we move into Ordinary Time in the Church calendar.
We believe no time is “ordinary” as we journey through life in relationship to Jesus Christ and empowered by the Holy Spirit.
The word “Ordinary Time’ comes simply from the Latin word “ordo” which means number since the Scripture readings of the seasons outside of Advent-Christmas and Lent-Easter are so ordered by numbers. The Scriptures of Ordinary Time call us to reflect on how we live our daily lives in the Holy Spirit.
I would like to offer some reflections on how the Holy Spirit has truly worked in my life in recent weeks and this article offers me the opportunity to respond to the questions and concerns I have heard from many of our parishioners.
On May 19 I had the opportunity as a family member of one of the victims of the terrorist attacks of Sept. 11, 2001 to visit the 9/11 museum prior to it’s opening to the general public. It was truly a very powerful and faith filled experience for me. The museum in its somber and serious tone surely recreates the sadness and chaos of that fateful day but overall it focuses on the positive working of the power of good over evil.
I was very touched by the fact that the museum focuses heavily on the good will, love and support of so many in those days and months after 9/11. It truly brought back for me the many good memories of the compassion and outreach my family and I received after the death of my youngest brother, Ed, who worked for Cantor Fitzgerald on one of top floors of the first tower attacked.
I was also relieved to see the museum displays make it very clear that the terrorist attacks were planned and carried out by a very small band of fanatical Moslems and in no way lead visitors to foment any sort of violence or revenge. I know my hope and prayer have always been that my brother’s death by such a violent act would not lead to more violence but rather to dialogue, healing and deeper understanding. The museum seemed to me to reflect that tone.
The most emotional and painful part of the museum visit for me was my visit to the family room where the photos of the victims are displayed and where family members and friends can scroll down the photos and reflections of the victims. The section on my brother contained a number of photos of him as a child and my parents, photos of his college years and young adult life and a few memories posted by family members and the NY Times article “Profiles In Grief”. I must admit that part was difficult for me yet the friends who accompanied me that day truly reached out to me and understood and supported me in my sadness. Truly the Holy Spirit lifted me in a very real way in those moments.
The staff of the museum truly expressed a sense of compassion and outreach to all the family members there that day as has always been the case since 9/11 with anyone connected with New York City and its support of the families.
Lastly, as a family member I was given admittance to the room in which one can view the beautifully crafted wooden cabinets that contain the unidentified remains from 9/11. I assume my brother’s remains are somewhere in that place. The space is very reverent, peaceful and dignified. Assigned to this room was a very kind young woman anthropologist who explained that as time goes on the ability to identify DNA improves and that the museum will continue to share information with victim’s family members as more information is discovered. I found it to be a fitting resting place for my brother’s remains and felt it offered as sense of honor and respect.
In my visit to the 9/11 museum I felt the power of the Holy Spirit truly as a consoler, as one who expresses the deep love of God the father and truly reflected the Holy Spirit in the gift of the love and compassion of so many. Truly, in Christ, in the power of the Holy Spirit, no time is ordinary for God truly reveals Himself in the most extraordinary ways.
Fr Dan Murphy