The Death of Kennedy and Disillusionment of Catholicism

When Senator Ted Kennedy died, the media was all over the story, and understandably so. Few public figures have been so notable as the Kennedy family, especially with the assassinations of Ted's two brothers - John (while serving as President) and Robert (while serving as Senator). Obviously the deaths of John and Robert were sudden and unexpected. But such was not the case with Senator Kennedy. He knew that he was dying from brain cancer and did not have long to live.

So the Senator sought to get ready for his dying day. He wrote a private appeal to Pope Benedict XVI in July - a letter that was hand-delivered by President Obama - in which Senator Kennedy requested a final papal blessing. Cardinal McCarrick - a close friend of Kennedy - read the appeal during the memorial service at Arlington National Cemetery on August 29. Here's what Senator Kennedy wrote in part:

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....

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.

The Cardinal proceeded to read excerpts from the Pope's response, keeping some parts private. Yet here's how it ended:

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.

In Senator Kennedy's appeal we see the basis for his plea, and that is the good works he did or at least attempted to do. In the first paragraph alone, there are nearly a dozen references to himself ("I" or "my") and none to God, let alone Jesus Christ.

Compare Senator Kennedy's appeal - made to the Pope - versus Augustus Toplady's appeal to the Lord Jesus Christ:

Rock of Ages, cleft for me,
Let me hide myself in Thee;
Let the water and the blood,
From Thy wounded side which flowed,
Be of sin the double cure;
Save from wrath and make me pure.

Not the labor of my hands
Can fulfill Thy law’s demands;
Could my zeal no respite know,
Could my tears forever flow,
All for sin could not atone;
Thou must save, and Thou alone.

Nothing in my hand I bring,
Simply to the cross I cling;
Naked, come to Thee for dress;
Helpless look to Thee for grace;
Foul, I to the fountain fly;
Wash me, Savior, or I die.

While I draw this fleeting breath,
When mine eyes shall close in death,
When I soar to worlds unknown,
See Thee on Thy judgment throne,
Rock of Ages, cleft for me,
Let me hide myself in Thee.

Catholicism saves no one; Christ alone can. Jesus - not Mary - is the one Mediator between God and man (1 Tim. 2:5). The Pope is powerless to grant what God alone can give through personal faith in Christ who redeemed us to God by His blood. "Nor is there salvation in any other, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved" (Acts 4:12). "For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, not of works, lest anyone should boast" (Eph. 2:8-9).

Don't die in a state of delusion. "Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and you will be saved..." (Acts 16:31).

Adoption Day!

This past Tuesday, Kaleb Perez, a ninth grader in our church, was formally adopted by Lou Perez, one of our elders and husband to Janine.  This family has been waiting for this day a long, long time.  Many obstacles had to be overcome along the way, but in the end their dream came true.

Later that same day that Kaleb was adopted, I asked him to recount what was going on in his heart and head as the ceremony was taking place.  Kaleb was delighted to do so.  Here's what he had to say:

This was a wonderful day from the start!  There has been a sense of nervous excitement for a few weeks leading up to today, wondering what good work the Lord was going to do for me and my family. While on the drive we were all nervous and our faith was being tested if we would get there on time! (We ended getting there 45 minutes early.) We got to the court room after being moved around to all five! 

The judge sat us down and was extemely friendly. My nervousness was gone, and I was filled with pure joy and excitement - much like right after I got saved! The judge asked me where I went to school and what I did for friends (because I'm home-schooled). He said that this [ceremony] was the easy part; all the hard work was done. I thought again of my spiritual adoption by my heavenly Father.  Just as before salvation the Lord had already done the difficult work in softening my heart.  (Nothing is too hard for the Lord!)  

As the judge wrote down the date and signed his name, he said that this made the adoption "official and irrevocable."  The same is true when our names are written in the Lamb's Book of Life!  Instantly I was filled with peace, comfort, and an unexplainable warmth and joy - much like holding a warm cup of soup or hot water when you are cold. I felt exactly the way I did the instant I professed my faith in Christ. For me it was standing up and denying pride. "For if you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you shall be saved" (Rom. 10:9).  

There was such gladness and comfort in that courtroom! I will never forget it. I have been reminded all day of Romans 8:15-17:  "For you did not receive the spirit of bondage again to fear, but you received the Spirit of adoption by whom we cry out, 'Abba, Father.'  The Spirit Himself bears witness with our Spirit that we are children of God, and if children, then heirs - heirs of God and joint heirs with Christ, if indeed we suffer with Him, that we may also be glorified together."

Now that I am officially adopted, I get all the legal rights that my brothers have as my Dad's children. I also legally have the responsibility of the oldest child. My adoption is so official that they gave me a new birth certificate with my Dad's name on it. I am still filled with joy and excitement, barely able to believe what has taken place - an awesome gift from God.  I have always known that my family loves me, and that no relationship would be changed when I was adopted. For them it may be the same, but not for me!  What I mean to say is that I've always felt at home with my dad, but now i feel like I really BELONG somewhere! I have stepped into my own special place in the family.  I'm a real piece in the puzzle!  It's a special warm feeling that is EXACTLY the way I felt when I got saved a year and a half ago.

Thanks for sharing this wonderful testimony, Kaleb!  We rejoice not only in your adoption this past Tuesday but in the reminder of our own adoption in Christ!  "How great is the love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called the children of God!  And that is what we are!" (1 John 3:1).

Tables Turned

This week a colleague passed on to me a story from the annals of hymn history.  Be sure to read the following hymn and then the story that follows in that order!  Here's the hymn:

All hail to Thee, Immanuel, we cast our crowns before Thee;
Let every heart obey Thy will, and every voice adore Thee.
In praise to Thee, our Savior King, the vibrant chords of Heaven ring,
And echo back the mighty strain: All hail! All hail! All hail Immanuel!

All hail to Thee, Immanuel, the ransomed hosts surround Thee;
And earthly monarchs clamor forth their sovereign King to crown Thee.
While those redeemed in ages gone, assembled round the great white throne,
Break forth into immortal song: All hail! All hail! All hail Immanuel!

All hail to Thee, Immanuel, our risen King and Savior!
Thy foes are vanquished, and Thou art omnipotent forever.
Death, sin and hell no longer reign, and Satan’s pow’r is burst in twain;
Eternal glory to Thy Name: All hail! All hail! All hail Immanuel!

Refrain:

Hail to the King we love so well! Immanuel! Immanuel!
Hail to the King we love so well! Immanuel! Immanuel!
Glory and honor and majesty, wisdom and power be unto Thee,
Now and evermore!
Hail to the King we love so well! Immanuel! Immanuel!
Hail to the King we love so well! Immanuel! Immanuel!
King of kings and Lord of lords, all hail, Immanuel!

And now, for the rest of the story. . . .

The above lyrics were penned in 1910 by D. R. Van Sickle, an unbeliever who wrote the song to prove that one doesn’t have to be a Christian to write a Christian song. However, God, with His great patience and marvelous grace, turned the tables on him!  Years later, Van Sickle was sitting in a service where a choir sang his hymn. He came under conviction and was saved!