Has 9/11 Taught Us How To Share?

Next month, the nation will pause and remember. On September 11th, we will revisit the terror that America felt when the World Trade Center was attacked. Repercussions of that attack were felt across America in large cities, small towns and individual homes. As a Scout leader, I noticed that many young boys were anxious and realized that if New York City could be attacked, so could little old Milledgeville. We assured the boys that they should have no fear because America would identify the culprits and then take the fight to their doorstep.

Many boys were incredulous that some people in the world would hate them simply because they were Americans. The boys knew that they had not done any harm nor offered any insult to the terrorists. The boys realized that hating someone simply because they were a Christian or simply because they were American was clearly wrong. Then, the boys were challenged with this question. What is the difference between an Islamic terrorist hating a Christian from an American hating another because of the color of their skin or where they are from? That question brought the issue home. Hating another for something they cannot change is an evil but this evil can take many disguises. What many Christians, Jews and Muslims fail to realize is that we all worship the same Creator.

That reminds me of the Lord’s Prayer. How many Americans pray the Lord’s Prayer but fail to make the obvious connection? If I refer to God as “Our Father” and another person does the same, does that not make us all brothers and sisters? Do we treat each other like that? Have we learned to share? We try to teach children to share toys but, as adults, do we share our talents and treasures with our brothers and sisters? I shudder to think about the day I report for duty at the Pearly Gates and ask the Lord why there was so much hunger and poverty in the world and He shows me that there is ample food and wealth; it is just that some of his kids aren’t willing to share. How well do you share your time, talents and treasure with others?

As a group, my brother Knights do this better than most but I know that I have room to improve.

Care to join me?
DGK Pat Beer