September 11, 2026
On this 25th remembrance of 9/11, I recall the story of the little girl whose mother was trying to explain to her the events of September 11th. This little child could not comprehend how someone, who didn’t even know you, could want to hurt you. Struggling for a solution, she said to her mother, “Mommy, why don’t we just tell them our names?” Her solution is innocent and profound. When we know someone “by name”—when we recognize that they have a family, a history, a dream for the future—it is harder to hurt them. It becomes impossible to treat them as an object of terror and a “casualty of war”.
We all know what it’s like to await the birth of a baby in our families. Parents, grandparents, aunts and uncles — they all have suggestions for the child’s name. We try to pick strong, beautiful, sacred names to bless this child’s life with power and grace.
Every person you meet today was once spoken into existence by God’s loving voice. Every person you meet today was once given a name by someone who loved them and had hope for their future. Every person you meet today offers you an opportunity to affirm the power of your own name — because when we are confident and free in our self-understanding, we naturally draw others into a circle of hospitality. And certainly, the opposite is true. When someone constantly treats others disrespectfully – renaming them according to his/her own prejudices – that person is revealing so much about their own lack of self-worth.
That little girl offers us a beautiful suggestion for the dawning of respect: “Why don’t we just tell each other our names?” As we remember the heartache of September 11th, may her innocent wisdom inspire our resolve for peace and justice.
Hello Sister!
My heart aches for the 9/11 tragedies. For the folks that died that day and for the ones who have fallen sick from their heroic actions in the days, weeks and months that followed.
I love the idea of the “name” theory espoused by the child. But my heart also hurts for the immigrant, the sexual assault victims, the poor in my city, the degradation of my country in the eyes of the world and the idea of loving the people who brought me to this point is a very tall order and I am failing miserably. Pray, dear Sister that I can learn to love them because simply put I know their names and I can’t.
Believe me, Annmarie, I understand. It helps me to remember that loving hate-filled people means praying for their conversion of heart and repentance for their faults. It doesn’t mean we’re not disgusted by their behaviors.