Meet Me In The Stairwell by Stacey Randall
You say you will never forget where you were when you heard the news On September 11, 2001. Neither will I.
I was on the 110th floor in a smoke filled room with a man who called his wife to say ‘Good-Bye.’ I held his fingers steady as he dialed. I gave him the peace to say, ‘Honey, I am not going to make it, but it is OK..I am ready to go.’
I was with his wife when he called as she fed breakfast to their children. I held her up as she tried to understand his words and as she realized he wasn’t coming home that night.
I was in the stairwell of the 23rd floor when a woman cried out to Me for help. ‘I have been knocking on the door of your heart for 50 years!’ I said. ‘Of course I will show you the way home – only believe in Me now.’
I was at the base of the building with the Priest ministering to the injured and devastated souls. I took him home to tend to his Flock in Heaven. He heard my voice and answered.
I was on all four of those planes, in every seat, with every prayer. I was with the
crew as they were overtaken. I was in the very hearts of the believers there, comforting and assuring them that their faith has saved them.
I was in Texas, Virginia, California, Michigan, Afghanistan. I was standing next to you when you heard the terrible news. Did you sense Me?
I want you to know that I saw every face. I knew every name – though not all know Me. Some met Me for the first time on the 86th floor.
Some sought Me with their last breath. Some couldn’t hear Me calling to them through the smoke and flames; ‘Come to Me… this way… take my hand.’ Some chose, for the final time, to ignore Me. But, I was there.
I did not place you in the Tower that day. You may not know why, but I do. However, if you were there in that explosive moment in time, would you have reached for Me?
Sept. 11, 2001, was not the end of the journey for you. But someday your journey will end. And I will be there for you as well. Seek Me now while I may be found. Then, at any moment, you know you are ‘ready to go.’
I will be in the stairwell of your final moments.
-Jesus
Meet Me in the Stairwell
Fr. Edmund Sylvia, C.S.C. recently read the following reflection on our radio program, Women of Grace Live, in honor of the 10th anniversary of 9/11. It gives us pause for reflection and consideration.
May we never forget all of those who died on this infamous date especially those who were spiritually unprepared for their final moment of life on earth.
With these poor souls in mind, let us come together as the Church Militant, and offer our prayers for them.
It is just possible that the prayer we pray for them today, the Mass and Holy Communion we offer in their name, the sacrifice we make on their behalf may be the very vehicle God uses to bring them to Himself.
Let us, pray, too, for those who were left behind -- the survivors of the men and women lost and the men and women whose lives were spared. We are one body in Christ, and when one member suffers, so do we all.
Finally, let us beseech God to protect and make safe our country, as we seek to serve the One Who is Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.
Here is an excerpt from a book written by Father Benedict Groeschel that he wrote in 1987 called "Stumbling Blocks, Stepping Stones." It inspired me and I hope it inspires you:
"If you want to love, you must be willing to be vulnerable. The Gospel makes it clear that if you extend your hand often enough in a gesture of love, someone will drive a nail through it. If you love others, you may be deceived, betrayed an abandoned. if you love Christ, you must walk the difficult road to Calvary. but you will begin to see yourself borne by powers that are beyond you. It may not be very noticeable at first. It may be no more than patience with criticism, or extra generosity after you have done enough. You may feel firmly drawn to God even when you can't pray. You will begin to change. ... Love inspired by charity is one of the most potent forces in the world."
