From time to time, a small group of religious leaders, friends who are members of different faith traditions, meets for lunch and conversation. This summer, we talked about how to observe the 10th anniversary of the attacks of September 11, 2001. We were not sure that we wanted a public observance, or what kind of observance was appropriate. In the end, we thought that we would simply share some of our reflections with our neighbors and fellow citizens of East Tennessee. Although we have refrained from specific religious language, we all write with the spirit of the Holy One in our hearts.

One of most startling images of that terrible day 10 years ago was that of the faces of people at the site of the World Trade Center after the buildings collapsed. Everyone was covered in ash, as if from a volcanic eruption. Everyone looked the same, and an African-American was heard to say that for the first time in his life, he felt as if he was the same as every other American -- no hyphens, just Americans.

And Americans were all of the same spirit in ministering to one another, to rescue and recover survivors and remains, to rebuild the Pentagon, to celebrate heroes and console bereaved families, companies and communities. I also remember the Orthodox Jews who sat at the morgue in New York around the clock for months, observing the holy custom of guarding the bodies -- and body parts -- of the deceased, known and unknown, no matter who they were.

We were as united then as we are fractured now. The work of repairing our world, and our country, is pressing. The healing of our common soul remains an unfinished task. We pray for that healing, and for strength, and for the blessings of working together.