<\/p>\n
I can’t say that I always loved Ted Kennedy. <\/span>For years, I have agreed with the When I was a bit younger–and much more theologically That, of course, is profoundly good news. <\/span>The Christian tradition has Ted Kennedy’s theological legacy may well be the And, in the end, Ted Kennedy died well. <\/span>Through long months of preparation and <\/p>\n <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" I can’t say that I always loved Ted Kennedy. For years, I have agreed with the issues he fought for–especially regarding his concern for the sick, the poor, and the elderly. But, I confess, Senator Kennedy’s personal behavior often proved embarrassing and sometimes appalling to those who agreed with his policies. Like all three Kennedy…<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":66,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[12,32,9],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-573","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-catholics","category-christians","category-religion-in-the-public-square"],"yoast_head":"\n
\nissues he fought for–especially regarding his concern for the sick, the poor,
\nand the elderly. <\/span>But, I confess,
\nSenator Kennedy’s personal behavior often proved embarrassing and sometimes
\nappalling to those who agreed with his policies. <\/span>Like all three Kennedy brothers, there has been a
\ndisconcerting tension between the public servant and the private self. <\/span><\/p>\n
\npuritanical–I thought that private behavior diminished public good. <\/span>That the inner and outer selves
\nmust be connected for acts of goodness to have real integrity and social
\nimpact. <\/span>The death of Senator
\nKennedy, however, points to a richer tradition of Christian theology, indeed of
\nCatholic theology: <\/span>Even a sinful
\nleader may accomplish God’s will for the public good. <\/span>Personal perfection is not a prerequisite for ruling well.<\/p>\n
\ninsisted–since about the fourth century or so–that human sinfulness in no way
\ndiminishes acts of grace, mercy, and justice. <\/span>But it is also not an excuse to continue sinning. <\/span>Indeed, some public figures seem to
\nthink that their position is license to do what they like in private, as long
\nas they continue to serve the people in their work. <\/span>“Should we sin,” the Apostle Paul once wrote, “that grace
\nmay abound?” <\/span>No, the church has
\nresponded. <\/span>We will sin, and flawed
\nhumans will continue to do the good. <\/span>But Christian spirituality insists that if one is
\ntruly on a journey of faith, that goodness will eventually overtake weakness
\nand the inner life and outward service will come into harmony. <\/span>Life is a progress toward such harmony,
\nthe symphony of faith in God.<\/p>\n
\ndemonstration of the progressive harmony of goodness. <\/span>For, unlike his brothers who did not live long enough to
\ncomplete the journey of faith, Ted Kennedy did. <\/span>In recent years, he admirably and publicly overcame a host
\nof private demons and became the kind of leader who walked his talk. <\/span>The tributes of family, friends, and
\nfoes increasingly praised his kindness, wisdom, and authenticity–all marks of
\nChristian maturity. <\/span>His outer
\npassion for the “least of these” aligned with the inner life. <\/span><\/p>\n
\nwitness–a gift never given to his brothers–he met God. <\/span>He believed in progressive causes. <\/span>But, more importantly, he showed us
\nthat all of life is spiritual progress–a journey of hands and heart–toward the
\nOne who loves the poor. <\/span>Even a
\nrich man can get to heaven. <\/span>Well
\ndone, good and faithful servant.
\n<\/span><\/p>\n