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Priest makes Kennedy, pope letters public
(I've pasted the content below but you can click above for source link)
At the graveside service at Arlington National Cemetery for Senator Edward M. Kennedy, Theodore Cardinal McCarrick, archbishop emeritus of Washington, D.C. and a family friend, read portions of the letter that President Obama delivered on Kennedy's behalf to the pope last month and portions of the pope's reply.
Kennedy's letter:
"Most Holy Father, I asked President Obama to personally hand deliver this letter to you. As a man of deep faith himself, he understands how important my Roman Catholic faith is to me, and I am deeply grateful to him.
"I hope this letter finds you in good health. I pray that you have all of God’s blessings as you lead our Church and inspire our world during these challenging times.
"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 am 77 years old and preparing for the next passage of life.
"I have been blessed to be a part of a wonderful family, and both of my parents, particularly my mother, kept our Catholic faith at the center of our lives. That gift of faith has sustained, nurtured and provided solace to me in the darkest hours. I know that I have been an imperfect human being, but with the help of my faith, I have tried to right my path.
"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 as my colleagues in the Senate and I work to develop an overall national health policy that guarantees health care for everyone.
"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. I continue to pray for God’s blessings on you and our Church and would be most thankful for your prayers for me."
Pope Benedict XVI's reply, via a Vatican official:
"The Holy Father has read the letter which you entrusted to President Barack Obama, who kindly presented it to him during their recent meeting. He was saddened to know of your illness, and has asked me to assure you of his concern and his spiritual closeness. He is particularly grateful for your promise of prayers for him and for the needs of the universal Church.
"His Holiness prays that in the days ahead you may be sustained in faith and hope, and granted the precious grace of joyful surrender to the will of God our merciful Father. He invokes upon you the consolation and peace promised by the Risen Savior to all who share in His sufferings and trust in His promise of eternal life.
"Commending you and the members of your family to the loving intercession of the Blessed Virgin Mary, the Holy Father cordially imparts his Apostolic Blessing as a pledge of wisdom, comfort and strength in the Lord."
We discussed this letter in our Sunday School class and I wanted to post these thoughts so I wouldn't forget them.
Why did Mr. Kennedy write this letter? Was he hoping that the pope could assure him of his salvation? As you read his letter, it seems like he is placing his hope on the church saving him. He refers to his parents' faith (not his own). He talks about all his good works.
In the beginning of this letter, Mr. Kennedy referred to the pope as the Most Holy Father. Our God is a jealous God and He alone should received all our adoration and praise. While we can respect our religious leaders, it is not appropriate to refer to any human as the most holy father.
Notice what he doesn't talk about in this letter. He never mentions Jesus. He never mentions a personal faith. He never mentions trusting God.
Ephesians 2:8-9 "For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith--and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God--not by works, so that no one can boast."
My question to Mr. Kennedy would be," Who is your faith in?"
Now looking at the pope's reply back to Senator Kennedy:
He commends him to the loving intercession of the Blessed Virgin Mary.
My problem with this statement comes from these two verses:
1 Timothy 2:5 "For there is one God and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus."
Romans 8:34 "Christ Jesus, who died--more than that, who was raised to life--is at the right hand of God and is also interceding for us."
There's no where in scripture that states that Mary intercedes for me.
As I read the pope's response I noticed that he offered no consolation and no assurance. I wonder how this made Mr. Kennedy feel.
I can't imagine what it would be like not to have to assurance of my salvation. To live every day trying to do good works in hopes that it would be enough. To never know for sure that you were going to heaven when you died.
Think back to the story of the thief on the cross. (Luke 23:39-43) He said that he deserved his sentence but Jesus did nothing wrong. He asked Jesus to remember him when he comes into his kingdom. Jesus answered that today he would be with him in paradise. Obviously his salvation was based solely on his faith in Jesus and not on any works.
Romans 3:22-24 "This righteousness from God comes through faith in Jesus Christ to all who believe. There is no difference, for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, and are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus."
I welcome your thoughts and comments.
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