Posted by
peripheral on Monday, August 31, 2009 5:32:49 AM
From My Perspective - - -
Most were able to view many hours of the Senator Edward M. Kennedy
Funeral events this past week. There were some very human and touching
moments as different family members shared their recollections and
vignettes of the many happy experiences they shared together.
The ABC-TV Boston Affiliate shared the following report prepared by
Veronica Haynes, Senior News Editor: “…Kennedy's friend, retired
Washington Archbishop Cardinal Theodore McCarrick officiated the brief,
but poignant, graveside service. They called him the Lion of the
Senate, and indeed that is what he was. His roar and his zeal for what
he believed made a difference in our nation's life. Sometimes, of
course, we who were his friends and had great affection for him would
get mad at him when he would roar at what we believed was the wrong
side of the issue. But we always knew and we were always touched by his
passion for the underdog, the rights of working people, for better
education, for adequate health care for every American…McCarrick also
read from a letter that the ailing senator wrote to Pope Benedict XVI
asking for his prayers and guidance as he entered the final chapter of
his life. The letter was hand-delivered by President Barack Obama
during a recent visit to the Vatican: I am writing with deep humility
to ask that you pray for me as my own health declines. I was diagnosed
with brain cancer more than a year ago, and although I continue
treatment, the disease is taking its toll on me…I know that I have been
an imperfect human being, but with the help of my faith, I have tried
to right my path."
Senator Kennedy’s letter also contained these words: “I want you to
know, Your Holiness, that in my nearly 50 years of elective office, I
have done my best to champion the rights of the poor and open doors of
economic opportunity. I've worked to welcome the immigrant, fight
discrimination and expand access to health care and education. I have
opposed the death penalty and fought to end war. Those are the issues
that have motivated me and been the focus of my work as a United States
Senator. I also want you to know that even though I am ill, I am
committed to do everything I can to achieve access to health care for
everyone in my country. This has been the political cause of my life. I
believe in a conscience protection for Catholics in the health care
field and will continue to advocate for it…I have always tried to be a
faithful Catholic, Your Holiness, and though I have fallen short
through human failings, I have never failed to believe and respect the
fundamental teachings…”
A key phrase is: “…I believe in a conscience protection for Catholics in the health care field and will continue to advocate for it…”
Is this a carefully worded appeal seeking absolution for a personal
focus and voting record on abortion? Can this be a desire to remove
guilt from any inference regarding euthanasia in the much discussed
National Health Plan? Absolution is: “an act of absolving; a freeing
from blame or guilt; release from consequences, obligations, or
penalties.” In Roman Catholic Theology, it also means: “a remission of
sin or of the punishment for sin, made by a priest in the sacrament of
penance on the ground of authority received from Christ. The letter is
almost an appeal for Absolution without giving Definitive Statement
regarding why such Absolution is being sought. In the vernacular, it
would be “covering all the bases” just to play it safe! In Psalm 19:7-14
(NLT), The Psalmist David makes his appeal before God: “The law of the
LORD is perfect…The decrees of the LORD are trustworthy…The
commandments of the LORD are right…The commands of the LORD are
clear…The laws of the LORD are true…They are a warning to those who
hear them; there is great reward for those who obey them. How can I
know all the sins lurking in my heart? Cleanse me from these hidden
faults. Keep me from deliberate sins! Don't let them control me. Then I
will be free of guilt and innocent of great sin. May the words of my
mouth and the thoughts of my heart be pleasing to you, O LORD, my Rock
and my Redeemer.” Words and deeds have consequences. The Grace of God
alone can absolve one of sin and guilt but it has to be remembered that
such Absolution is “not of works, lest any man should boast” (Ephesians
2:9). This kind of Absolution is based on Christ’s work on the cross,
not on man’s deeds or terms. Consider these things with me!