A midair collision between an Army helicopter and an American Airlines flight from Kansas killed all 67 people aboard the two aircraft, officials said Thursday, as they scrutinized the actions of the military pilot after the country’s deadliest aviation disaster since 2001.
No survivors, Lord...
67 souls aboard two aircraft
- and all perished in the crash...
67 life stories cut short
in an unexpected instant...
67 people expecting to land
and go about the rest of their lives...
And among those who died were figure skaters,
and their coaches and family members...
Figure skaters, Lord...
I can't help but think of the thousands of hours
spent in practice at ice rinks,
thousands of hours of young skaters' lives
and those of their mentors and family,
thousands of hours spent in perfecting skill
and art and precision and beauty,
thousands of hours dedicated
to becoming good skaters, great skaters,
champion skaters...
And in an instant,
all those hours culminated and pierced
the barriers of time and space
landing in your everlasting arms
when and where are met the glory
of all that's beautiful and graceful,
all that mirrors your divine movement,
all that enraptures, thrills and enthralls
our desire for you,
for whom we are all made and destined,
in whose beautiful image
each of us is created...
But in the moment, here and now,
overwhelmed by a wounding grief,
we go blind, unable to see
how our story here must end
before the reason for our story
comes to light, engulfs us in beauty
and makes us one with you...
I pray tonight for those who grieve, Lord,
for those who peopled the stories
of lives cut cruelly short...
I pray for those now living
with so many unanswered questions
and unknown loose ends
demanding answers and resolution
while the wintry night sky
remains so adamantly silent,
having, in an instant,
taken to itself those 67 stories
whose endings leave us in tears...
With the light of faith,
pierce through our grief, Lord,
and help us trust that those we've lost
survive in you, are safe with you
- as are we all -
whose stories we're still telling...
Protect us, Lord while we're awake
and watch over us while we sleep
that awake, we might keep watch with you
and asleep, rest in your peace...
Amen.
Only In God by John Foley, SJ
If a video doesn't appear below, click here!
Only in God will my soul be at rest
From God comes my hope, my salvation.
From God comes my hope, my salvation.
You alone are my rock of safety,
My strength, my Glory my God.
My strength, my Glory my God.
and pour out your heart.
God alone is a refuge for us
And a stronghold for our fear.
2. Many times have I heard you tell
Of your long lasting love.
You, yourself, Lord reward all who labor
For love of your Name.
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