All About GOD - Growing Relationships with Jesus and Others
Absolution
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!
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!
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