TAP Guest Commentary

September 17, 2001

Comprehending the Incomprehensible
by Bob Webster

From Webster's New World Dictionary of the American Language, 2nd College Edition

comprehend: to grasp mentally; understand incomprehensible:

not comprehensible; that cannot be understood

September 11, 2001

In the course of a few hours during the morning of September 11, a band of cowardly, fanatical terrorists exposed the face of evil to every nation on earth. In striking the first blows of a war unlike any previous, these zealots not only profaned their own religion, they assaulted all of human civilization. In a matter of moments, devastating carnage was brought to innocent victims. Workers and travelers beginning their day as productive citizens had their lives ended or forever scarred by senseless acts of violence.

In New York City, hundreds of fire, police and rescue personnel were on the scene within moments of the first alarm. As workers fled, fire, police and rescue personnel were entering the doomed towers doing whatever they could to get as many to safety as possible. Without thought for their own safety these dedicated workers did what they lived for -- helping others -- and hundreds of them paid the ultimate price.

From the mayor right on down, the city of New York responded heroically. Similar accounts are emerging from the scene at the Pentagon where workers fleeing the destruction did an abrupt "about face" and returned to help in any way they could. Stories of charity, sacrifice, and heroism will fill volumes when all is finally known.

People throughout the country responded not only with great emotion and sympathy, but with acts of support and charity that are still being counted. Volunteers overwhelmed rescue scenes and were turned away when there became just too many to be effective. Rescue materials, blood donations, food and spiritual comfort have been pouring into the city in unprecedented amounts. Across the country, flags have been displayed in greater numbers than seen during traditional celebrations of Independence Day and Flag Day. This nation is unified now as it seldom has been before.

Humanity is measured by these acts of goodness, kindness, generousity, sacrifice, and unity; not by the cowardly deeds of a tiny handful of miscreants deluding themselves with the notion they are warriors in the service of their God.

Terrorism, Fear, and Anger

A terrorist manifest his own sense of inadequacy through indescriminate acts of brutality -- what he cannot control, he would destroy. While his objective is destruction and murder, the terrorist's greatest allies are fear and its companion, anger. A fearful people can be controlled. An angry people may respond hastily, thus exposing themselves to greater perils. While anger and revulsion are certainly normal and expected reactions to such horrifying acts of destruction, it is important that we move beyond the emotions and seek comfort and guidance before we respond.

Trying to Comprehend

Each of us possesses an emotional, sensitive side that moves us by experiences such as expressions of kindness, acts of heroism, beauty, sacrifice, accomplishment, joy, grief, and tragedy. We also have a cerebral side that we demonstrate with logic, reason, intellect and rationality. The daily choices we make and how others perceive us are reflections of how we balance these two sides of our humanity.

I will never forget the moment I became aware of the tragic events unfolding early on the morning of September 11, 2001. Like most, I was stunned by the magnitude of the tragedy and evil demonstrated that morning. Since that moment, I have sensed a great turmoil within -- the sensitive side searching for a way to express the shock, sorrow and grief; the cerebral side searching for a rational framework for what has happened.

We've all known of tragedies with far greater loss of human life. Most of us can recall earthquakes that have claimed tens of thousands in an instant. While no less grievous, such natural disasters can be accepted as part of life over which we have no control. But senseless assaults on humanity by other humans are not accepted so easily. In trying to comprehend such violence, we ultimately seek some tiny sense of comfort -- something that will satsify the gnawing question, "why?"

What makes acts of terrorism so incomprehensible is the absolute futility of searching for rational process in their motivation. It is at these times that we more clearly understand and appreciate both the limitations of humans and the boundless power of faith.

As millions of others around the world, I've been captivated by the continuous news coverage. First, the events as they unfolded. Who will ever forget witnessing what seemed like footage from a movie as the second tower was struck? Then the numbing sense of helplessness as each of the towers disintegrated before our eyes. These scenes were played over and over again, from many perspectives. Coverage has since turned to reactions -- grief, rescue, investigation, and response.

In looking back over the past week, the most comforting of all coverage has been that of the services in Washington's National Cathedral on Friday, a day President Bush proclaimed the National Day of Prayer.

It has been said in times of war, "In the foxholes, there are no atheists." Today, humanity is at war and that war has been brought into each of our homes and lives. We are all in the foxholes of this war and prayer should not be taken lightly nor consigned to a single day. The futility of incomprehension that we feel is consoled by our faith and the power of our prayer -- a power that both comforts us and provides us with a sense of helping by being part of a solution.

Prayer

We've heard a lot about prayer and praying since Tuesday morning. For those who may be new to the "foxholes" or otherwise unfamiliar with the practice, these suggestions are offered:

Pray for those whose lives were senselessly taken, and for their families and friends that they may be comforted.

Pray for those who selflessly risk their lives in rescue efforts, that they should be guided in their activities and protected from danger.

Pray for those who may be trapped, that they shall be comforted and given the strength to endure.

Pray for our leaders that they will act with wisdom and be divinely guided in their determination to rid us of the evil that terrorizes.

Pray for those who will be called to duty in our armed services, that they will be fearless, courageous, and protected in their service.

Pray for us all, that we not yield to terrorists' ally, fear.

Pray for strength to overcome fear's companion, anger, that we may act with noble purpose and not revenge.

Faith

How much better our lives might be if we made faith a greater priority. When logic and reason fail us, when no emotion can satisfy our need, we can always rely on our faith -- our Almighty. Now is the time for each of us to turn to our faith in the power of the Almighty to guide us through a difficult time of despair and sacrifice to a better future.

Let your faith guide you along the path from despair and destruction to spiritual resurrection and understanding. ***

Bob Webster, Editor, OpinioNet.com

© 2001 Bob Webster and OpinioNet Magazine. Used with permission.