An Opportunity Lost

Whatever a person thinks of the deceased Senator Kennedy's political positions, one has to acknowledge that he was very influential in the government and he left his mark. My greatest sadness is what I see as an unique opportunity lost regarding life and marriage.

What many of us forget is that Edward Kennedy was "pro-life" earlier in his political career. What happened? Well back in the mid to late 1960s when the issue of legalized elective abortions was being bantered about, five Catholic theologians, all priests and I believe all from Massachusetts, discussed over a weekend whether or not a politician could morally support elective abortions even though they personally abhor the procedure. They determined that yes a politician could and they so advised Senator Kennedy (and probably others) and the rest is history. Unfortunately this opened the flood waters as we all know how the Democratic Party platform evolved.

I do not know whether or not the archbishop of Boston subsequently explained the Catholic position to the senator and was ignored or if for some reason he did not raise the issue. As early as 1968, Pope Paul VI had written his famous, though to some unpopular, encyclical "Humanae Vitae" which condemned contraception and elective abortion and noted that a contraceptive mentality was a stepping stone to an elective abortion mentality.

There were those bishops who took issue with the position supported by these newly "converted" politicians but their authority was limited to politicians who were in their dioceses. Pope John-Paul II took a firm direct position explaining the error of the Catholic politicians who supported elective abortions.

The American Catholic bishops as a group attempted to address the problem of Catholic politicians who voted/advocated "pro-choice" but possibly due to their concern to remain pastoral and compounded later by the disclosure of the clergy sex abuse scandals, their efforts were greatly impaired. There were several bishops who spoke out aggressively, especially those younger bishops installed under Pope John-Paul II, but their initial efforts were still hampered by those attempting to obtain a successful solution through a more a pastoral approach. Meanwhile there were many lay organizations speaking up, pressing their bishops to take a more direct role. Finally when a pro-choice Catholic was running for president in 2004; the bishops spoke out but yet in a somewhat muffled voice. By the 2008 election, with a pro-choice Catholic Vice-Presidential candidate, the bishops were speaking in a clear voice; however, other concerns overshadowed many of the Catholic minds and many were still unclear regarding the moral issue of electing pro-choice candidates due to the earlier inaction; result--53 percent of Catholics voted for a confirmed "pro-choice" administration, insuring the pro-choice administration's election.

Regarding the now deceased senator, if we look at his life in total with all his failures it is evident he had a big well meaning heart and as we say, "charity covers a multitude of sins" and he accomplished much good. Also, no one knows the mind of another. We do know he was a man of prayer. As he approached the sunset of his life he was administered the Sacraments. Also, the ailing senator had President Obama deliver a ten page letter to Pope Benedict XVI during his recent visit. An extract of senator's letter and the Vatican's response were read at the internment of the senator.

Regarding the funeral Mass, a couple points of interest. Reportedly, two of the Kennedy's choices for the funeral Mass were not honored. One choice was the church where his mother Rose was baptized but that pastor refused. The other was the archdiocese's cathedral, but that request was also denied. Finally the present archbishop-cardinal of Boston attended the funeral Mass, but he did not preside nor did he distribute the Eucharist. His only direct leadership involvement was the prayer at the end of the service where he led the prayer for the deceased senator.

There are many that believe the misdirected logic of the theologians that advised the senator, not only was germane to so many Catholic politicians, and some non-Catholics, supporting elective abortions but also led to the mind-set supporting homosexual relationships and "marriages", and the breakdown of monogamous marriages and the traditional family.

I pray that the five misguided theologians have come/came to realize their error and have made amends. If you'd like to read more on the subject, you may read the respected Catholic apologist Patrick Madrid's blog at patrickmadrid.blogspot.com. The names of the theologians are in his blog.

The above situation illustrates the impact of our own words and actions on others, probably beyond what we would believe. One day we too will have to face the results of our words and actions--hopefully we wont have to account for too many "opportunities lost".

Opus Dei #5

Yester was August 15th, the Feast of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary into Heaven. A sign of hope for us all that we too will someday be in Heaven.

There were at least 100 men at the morning recollection. The three reflections were "Prayer" and "Meditation" led by the Opus Dei priest and "Time"--proper use thereof--led by an Opus Dei layperson. The three reflections were provocative. Ironically, the night before I had difficulty sleeping as my mind was "in gear", (Normally I sleep "like a rock"). As I've written, "Ironically", since many of the observations made during the morning recollection mirrored the thoughts I pondered the evening before. A friend at Opus Dei suggested that The Holy Spirit was getting me prepped. Who knows; all that I know is that the reflections rounded out my day.

Taking Up One's Cross

'Jesus said to His disciples, "Whoever wishes to come after me must deny himself, take up his cross, and follow me. For whoever wishes to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake will find it. What profit would there be for one to gain the whole world and forfeit his life? Or what shall a man give in return for his life? For the son of Man will come with his angels in his Father's glory, and then he will repay each according to his conduct."' (Matthew 16:24-27)

When you read the above from Matthew's Gospel what comes to your mind?

It is worth noting that this quote in Matthew immediately follows Jesus foretelling of His death and resurrection, Peter's rebuke and Jesus' strong condemnation of Peter's rebuke. (Matthew 16:21-23)

Imagine we are among Jesus' disciples. The stir this causes. We are Jews living under the iron fist of detested Roman occupiers. We are anxiously awaiting the promised messiah who we believe or at least hope this Jesus is. As the messiah we expect Jesus to cast off the tyranny of the detested Roman gentiles and establish a kingdom blessed and far exceeding that of King David. Hopefully then, we as his favoured disciples, will share in the power and glory of this new realm.

But no, now this Jesus tells us that we are to deny ourselves and willingly take upon ourselves the most horendous instrument of death available in the Roman Empire, the cross, and be willing to suffer with Him and for Him; even be willing to die for Him. Then and only then will we be rewarded. Wow!!! Surely He must be kidding!

And yet, probably within 40 years of Jesus' death and resurrection when hearing Matthew's account at the Eucharistic liturgy it all resonates and it makes sense.

Isn't it somewhat surprising after all these years of Christians understanding the importance of denying oneself, taking up one's cross and following Jesus; how many today believe that being Christian precludes suffering or deny the significance of suffering on one's road to eternity? Many have forgotten or over look St. Paul's observation on the subject.

"Now I rejoice in my sufferings for your sake, and in my flesh I complete what is lacking in Christ's afflictions for the sake of his body, that is the Church." (Colossians 1:24)*

*Catholic Biblical footnote. '"...what is lacking..." Christ's suffering were of course, sufficient for our redemption, but all of us may add ours to his, in order that the fruits of his redemption be applied to the souls of men. (The Holy Bible, Revised Standard Version / Second Catholic Edition, Ignatius Press p.168)

"Take courage, it is I; do not be afraid."

Aren't these words of our Lord; "Take courage, it is I; do not be afraid." (Matthew 14:27) really encouraging? Here we have the apostles in a boat that is being tossed about in turbulent waters, fearing the possibility of drowning and seeing what appeared to be a ghost approaching them--very likely they saw this as a omen of their pending demise. But no, the image they saw was not a ghost, it was Jesus.

There were times in my life when I felt that everything was going wrong or there was no way out of a given predicament--that I was drowning in the situation--and I heard these comforting words; "Don't give up, I am here, do not fear." And yes, everything did work out. I know these comforting words were not of a ghost; I know God wants to talk to me/assure me if only I listen.

I pray that I learn that prayer is a conversation, which means I need to be a better listener--after all God has a lot more to say than I and what He has to say is of much greater value.

God who is Love so wants to share Himself with us if only we'd let Him.