Remembering September 11: Call to prayer

Andrew is standing with Monica and Tess in the middle of New York City. It is a lovely early fall morning. They have just finished their breakfast and several cups of coffee - especially by one angel and you can imagine who.


Do you want to listen in on their conversation?


"Well, angel babies, here we are in the Big Apple and with absolutely nothing to do today. What a great day for a day off" is Tess’ remarks.


"I can certainly agree with you there. I do love New York. I love cities and I love walking around in them" answers Monica.


"There is always something else to see and do," answers Andrew. "I am sure that we can find plenty to entertain ourselves on this our first day off together in quite a long time."


So the three friends set off on their day’s adventures. They are walking and laughing and generally enjoying looking in shop windows and making comments about what they are seeing. It is a very relaxing time and they are taking their time. No one is in a hurry today.


Monica does enjoy looking up at the very tall buildings.


"Angel girl, you are going to get a crick in your neck from looking up like that," exclaims Tess.


"Andrew, do you know the name of those buildings right beside us?" asks Monica. Her knowledge of New York is somewhat limited.


"That is the World Trade Center," answers Andrew. "Monica, you do like looking up."


Tess joins in now, "You both do know of course that as angels we are always meant to look up?"


Suddenly Andrew stops in his tracks and sighs so deeply. Both Monica and Tess ask him the same question at exactly the same time. "What in heaven’s name is happening Andrew?"


Andrew answers them so quickly." I have to go. Something is going to happen here."


Just then Monica looks up again as she hears a plane fairly low overhead.
"Oh, Andrew," she cries out, but he is already gone.


Tess grabs Monica’s arm and they look in disbelief as the plane crashes into the side of the building. The smell and the noise are unbelievable, even for angels. They hold onto each other tightly and already they have begun to pray.


Monica questions Tess. "What are we supposed to do now? Are we supposed to be somewhere else and helping?"


Tess smiles gently at her angel friend. "No baby, we are supposed to stay right here and to pray."


The two angels hold onto each other and their prayers to the Father are fervent and tearful.


They stay grounded where they are for some time - although it is not really that long.


Monica eventually asks Tess, "Do you know how Andrew is doing?"


Tess’ answer is direct but gentle, "No baby, I do not."


*****


This time it is Tess’ ears that are alerted to the sound of a plane overhead and close by. "No, Father, this cannot be happening," is her earnest prayer.
But of course it does. Even the two angels are overwhelmed by the horror of it all.


"Should we be not be moving from this location?" Monica asks Tess.


"Yes, we should move, angel baby," is Tess’ rapid answer.


And so Monica and Tess are firmly seated on the roof of a nearby church - close enough to see what is going on and far enough away to be out of danger, but then of course, they never were in any danger.


In the confusion and the noise, they are above all this but they know the Father is close at hand. And so the two continue to pray.


Tess breaks in," Part of our job here, Monica, is to get others to pray as well."
So they ask the Father for that and it has already started, even as they ask.
Some time passes and the two angels continue to be rooted where they are.


*****


Suddenly Andrew appears beside them. He looks so sad and the both angels enfold him in the warmest hug they can manage.


Andrew can hardly talk about what he has seen. "There is so much more to come and very soon. I will be gone for a long time. Pray for my work as well, my dear friends."


With that comment, Andrew is gone.


*****


Some more time passes. The two angels continue to pray. Suddenly when they look up, they see that Gloria has come to join them. They share a warm hug for their fellow angel. Gloria says nothing, for her face says it all.


Just then there is a large crashing noise and one of the towers that was hit collapses. All three angels let out a collective sigh of disbelief. There are tears on their faces but their hearts are turned towards their Father in Heaven.
They are holding onto each other tightly when not too long after, the second tower collapses.


Tess response now is quick and to the point, " Angel babies, we need to be somewhere else. Come inside the church now with me." Neither Monica nor Gloria says anything.


The interior of the church is cool and surprisingly quiet. All three angels go quickly to the front of the church and each finds a candle to be lit.


Then they find a comfortable pew. "Yes, angel babies, we will be here for a long time," explains Tess.


*****


It is some hours later and still the angels are praying.


"Come, angel babies, I have some things I must tell you now," says Tess. They both look expectantly towards Tess. For her face looks no different than theirs - streaked with tears but glowing with the Father’s love.


"You know that there are many people praying right now - at home, alone, trapped in the debris, with others, in many places of prayer and worship and on the Internet. They are lifting up their hearts to the Father and that is good."
All Gloria and Monica can do is to nod their heads in agreement.


*****


And so the three angels continue together in prayer and many hours pass.
Just as suddenly as the last time, Andrew appears beside the three angels in the church. His face looks so sad but he is glowing with the Father’s love and presence.


All three of his friends hug him as warmly as possible. Andrew finally sits down beside Monica - his hand firmly held in hers. "My dear friends, I do not know that I can say anything about what I have had to do. All I know is that every angel of death that I have ever worked with has been called out. There are some situations that hang in the balance. Know for sure that the work that you are doing here is exactly what is needed. Now I have been given some time to rest. Keep on praying."


Without further ado, Andrew stretches out in the pew and puts his head down in Monica’s lap. Tess gently tucks him in with a warm blanket that has just been provided. Andrew quickly falls asleep with Monica gently stroking his hair.


*****


Many hours pass and the three angels continue in prayer. As the morning approaches, Andrew awakens and smiles at Monica. Just then Gloria has gone to light more candles and this time she finds four.


"Thank you, Gloria," says Andrew as he smiles his thanks. "I must go my dear friends. I have been much refreshed by this time to sleep - a real gift from the Father."


So with a quick hug for all three angels, Andrew is gone again.


The three continue in prayer. In their hearts they are much aware that they are not alone in this endeavour. They know that they are where they are supposed to be and so is Andrew.


*****


Kyrie eleison - Lord have mercy
Christe eleison - Christ have mercy
Kyrie eleison - Lord have mercy