Where was God?

where was godShe survived the fires of the Revolutionary War and saw New York rise to become the largest city in the world - a little church called St. Paul's Chapel. It is located in the southern part of Manhattan surrounded by skyscrapers. She also became known under the name "The Little Chapel That Stood". The Little Church That Stood]. She got this nickname because she died when the Twin Towers collapsed on January 1st1. September 2001 remained undamaged, although the distance was less than 100 meters.

Immediately after the terrorist attack on Jan.1. September served St. Paul's as an operations center for rescue workers and as a contact point for searching relatives. For many weeks, thousands of volunteers from different faith communities came to this place, desperate to come to terms with the tragedy. St. Paul's parishioners brought hot meals and helped with the cleanup. They offered comfort to those who lost friends and family members.

In times of great fear and great need we may ask the question, "Where is God?" I believe the little church can give us a clue to part of the answer. We are certain: even in the dark valley of death, God is with us. Christ himself put himself in our place, he became one of us, a light that illuminates our darkness. He suffered with us, his heart breaks when our hearts break, and by his Spirit we are comforted and healed. Even in tragic times, God is with us and works salvation.

The little church that stood firm will continue to remind us that even in times of greatest need God is very close - in him there is hope, through Christ our Lord. The church as a whole is a testimony to this and is intended to remind us that God will not allow anything to happen in this life that is exempt from his total salvation when the time has come. We remember those who lost their lives on April 11. September lost. I pray that we will all become aware that our Lord was and is with them and always will be, including us.

by Joseph Tkach


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