9 / 11 — From hatred to love


(c) bob traupman 2007. all rights reserved.  st. augustine beach, fl
(c) bob traupman 2007. all rights reserved. st. augustine beach, florida

Dear Friends,

Let’s think forward today realizing the command of Jesus to love.

To love our enemies is the essential dimension of being a follower of Jesus (Matthew Chapter 7)

Love of enemies is the essential meaning of the Cross.

If we do not love our enemies we neither understand who Jesus is,

why he lived,

why he died,

what his message is,

and we can have no part with him.

This morning, I just offer a beautiful hymn for your reflection that touched me in the Magnificat prayer book I use.

Love that bears another’s burden,

Love that shares another’s pain,

Love that heeds another’s struggle,

Love that seeks another’s gain:

Love like this reveals Christ Jesus

As the Law that will remain.


Love that hears another’s weeping,

Love that dries another’s tears,

Love that spares another sorrow,

Love that calms another’s fears:

Love like this reveals Christ Jesus

As God’s mercy down the years.

Love that offers first forgiveness,

Love that soon forgets a wrong,

Love that laughs in all rejoicing,

Love that sings in ev’ry song:

Love like this reveals Christ Jesus

As the heart where we belong.

(author not mentioned)

As we remember 9 / 11,

we also remember Jesus’ words:

“Unless a grain of wheat dies and falls into the ground

it cannot bear fruit

but if it dies it will yield a rich harvest (John 12:24).

Life always renews itself.  From death — through dying there is always a rising

and new life.

the great cross / mission of nombre de dios / st. augustine, fl
the great cross / mission of nombre de dios / st. augustine, fl

And I just simply add:

Forgive us, Lord!

Forgive us all!

No one is without sin,

without failures in love.

Let forgiveness move us forward to build a new humanity.

Bob Traupman

priest / writer

2 thoughts on “9 / 11 — From hatred to love

  1. Corey Harned October 9, 2009 / 10:29 pm

    “Hello Father! I want to let you know about an awesome group called “Kepha, the Brotherhood of the Iron Will.” Kepha is a growing brotherhood of Catholic fathers and sons in seven states that are faithful to the Holy Father. We promote the Culture of Life through monthly retreats and shared daily prayers and provoke each other to Heaven according to our motto, “Dynamic Orthodoxy, Infectious Joy.”

    Kepha’s is a high-octane Catholicism rejecting spiritual laziness and moral compromise. We are under the patronage of our “BIG 3”: St. John Bosco, Blessed Teresa of Calcutta, and Blessed Pier Giorgio Frassati. Kepha members agree to live by 5 commitments : Apologetics, Brotherhood, Charity, Mortification and Prayer.

    Kepha is a non-profit organization with chapters in Texas and Louisiana. If you know of any men who are looking for an excellent way to strengthen their relationships with their sons, then please tell them about Kepha.

    You can find out more information on our web site at http://www.kepharocks.org
    We look forward to hearing from you!

    God bless you!
    Corey Harned

  2. Helen Bridges, Franciscan September 22, 2009 / 3:04 am

    Dear Fr. Bob,

    Your website is truly a natural sanctuary where soulful sharing happens. Thank you for giving this to all of us. With peace and joy, Helen

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