On the Death of Ted Kennedy

August 29, 2009

Dear Fellow Travelers,
Over the past couple of days, I have watched portions of Ted Kennedy’s various memorial services, along with a portion the funeral mass this morning. As I write these words, the hearse, that is transporting his remains to his gravesite near his brothers in Arlington National Cemetery, is about to reach its destination.
Let me cut to the chase: Ted did not “pass,” he died, as in graveyard dead. He will not show up for work in the US Senate on Monday morning, or Tuesday, for that matter. Contrary to popular opinion, we did not lose him, as we know where he is—standing before The Holy God of the Universe. He might have been known as the Lion of the Senate, but The One before whom he now stands is known as the Lion of the Tribe of Judah.
Again, contrary to popular, Roman Catholic opinion, the Virgin Mary will prove inadequate for his entrance into the Kingdom of God; contrary to popular, political opinion, having served 47 years in the US Senate, will prove to be 3 years short of enough to get him a pass (just kidding, just kidding; it really takes 51 years!); contrary to popular liberal opinion, his being an “excellent” legislator, will count for nothing; and contrary to popular, military opinion, his having reached the rank of PFC in the US Army won’t help him, even one iota. The fact that thousands of people (mostly liberals) lined the streets today in his honor, did not impress the Lion of the Tribe of Judah one whit. The fact that all the TV networks, from ABC to XYZ, including Fox News, not to mention CNN, preempted virtually every other news item to showcase this historical event, did not impress the Lion of the Tribe of Judah, not at all.
You see, Ted’s days of running for political office are over; never again will his fate be determined by the number of votes he receives. Majorities make no difference for him now. The opinions of others are meaningless. Only one opinion matters, and it is the opinion of the Lion of the Tribe of Judah.
What matters, is not if Ted knows Him, but if He knows Ted. What matters, is not if Ted was a member of the Roman Catholic Church, but if Jesus has included him in the Body of Christ (and there is a difference!). It matters not how “good” his friends deemed him to be; what matters is that God is The Good God.
This is what really matters: When Jesus died on the cross, did He include Ted in that death? I have no idea, but I do know that THAT is what matters; otherwise, Ted has no hope, none whatsoever.
Oh, I know what some of you are thinking: “Mac, you know that Jesus included Ted in His death on the cross; you know that He died for Ted’s sins! All Ted had to do was raise his hand when the priest gave the invitation, and, thereby, receive the gift of eternal life!” JUST FOR THE RECORD: No, I do NOT know that!
Again, and JUST FOR THE RECORD: If Ted Kennedy is in the Kingdom of God, he is because of what Jesus has done, NOT because of what Ted has done (or not done, for that matter), and, certainly, not because of all the “good” things that have been said about him, and for sure not because of the Virgin Mary.
As a reminder: funerals are for the living, not the dead, so they don’t even help.

PS: You and I are in the same “boat.” Our only hope is in Jesus—the Lion of the Tribe of Judah—and that is a good thing, a very good thing, because He is full of grace and mercy; albeit, very just.