The Texts for Remembering 9/11

By Kyle Small -
We will be reading Scripture traditionally during our worship service (Matthew 6:6-15), but during the 9/11 remembrance, we will read three texts from each of the Abrahamic faiths:


FROM THE JEWISH TRADITION Isaiah 25:6-9
On this mountain the Lord of hosts will make for all peoples a feast of rich food, a feast of well-aged wines, of rich food filled with marrow, of well-aged wines strained clear. And he will destroy on this mountain the shroud that is cast over all peoples, the sheet that is spread over all nations; he will swallow up death forever. Then the Lord God will wipe away the tears from all faces, and the disgrace of his people he will take away from all the earth, for the Lord has spoken. It will be said on that day, Lo, this is our God; we have waited for him, so that he might save us.This is the Lord for whom we have waited; let us be glad and rejoice in his salvation.



FROM THE MUSLIM TRADITION 

In the Name of God, most gracious, most merciful. Lord, you said, and your words are true: If any do seek for glory and power, to God belongs all glory and power. To him mount up all words of purity. He exalts all righteous deeds. But those that lay the plots of evil, for them is a terrible penalty; and the plotting of such will he not abide.
Goodness and evil are not equal. Repel the evil with the good. But no one will be granted such goodness except those who exercise patience and restraint, none but
persons of the greatest good fortune.


FROM THE CHRISTIAN TRADITION Matthew 5:2-12a (Please stand for the reading of the gospel)

Then he began to speak, and taught them, saying: Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted. Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth. Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled. Blessed are the merciful, for they will receive mercy. Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God. Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God. Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are you when people revile you and persecute you and utter all kinds of evil against you falsely on my account. Rejoice and be glad, for your reward is great in heaven.

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