Today the Nation mourns the loss of Eunice Kennedy Shriver, sister to President John F Kennedy, Senator and Presidential hopeful Robert Kennedy, and Senator Ted Kennedy. Arguably the most influential family in America, the Kennedys have had no shortage of criticism, press, and trials in their time. The scandal surrounding this great American Camelot has been present from the very beginning. A fact that was fore-known by the girlfriend of first born, Joe Kennedy Jr., who was refused a romantic relationship because the family was far "too active" for her to marry into. Clearly she saw from the beginning the threat of constant drama and invasion from the press.
Sister Patricia was perhaps the one Kennedy sibling who lived a life of somewhat quiet reserve, marrying and having her four children. Besides the infamous fates of John and Bobby, the others lives were no quieter. Joe, who died at 29 as a war hero over the shores of England. After shocking her family by marrying a Protestant Royalty, Kathleen (Kick) Kennedy faced scrutiny when, recently widowed, she died in a plane crash with a new lover. Perhaps the most devastating Kennedy tale of all is that of Rosemary, who was a victim of a lobotomy which her father had procured for her at an early age. This resulted in her living in an institution until her death at 87 years old.
Indeed it would seem the Kennedy gene guarantee either length of life, or death by tragedy, or in Rosemary's case: both. As we all know the clouds surrounding the Kennedy name did not disperse with this generation. What followed was generation after generation of politicians, marital scandals and infidelities, and no shortage of legal escapades including everything from attempted murder to rape.
Joe Kennedy Sr., the patriarch of this complex, political monster was perhaps the first seed of drama from which this tree sprang. A millionaire by this 30s, he died at 82, practically a cripple, but the 50 years in between were a testimony to determination. He became friends with President Roosovelt, and Pope Pius XII (prior to his election as Pontiff). Perhaps he would have lived to see his dream come true of holding the highest nation in the land, had he not slaughtered his own political career with his famous "Democracy is dead in England" quote during the second World War. He was heavily criticized for his perceived antisemitism, and finally suffered a stroke, just prior to the beginning of the chain of assassinations that would rock the nation in the 1960's.
God called Moses to lead His people out of slavery to the "Promised Land." Due to incidents along the way, 40 years later he is forbidden to enter, but allowed to see it from the precipice. In today's First Reading at Mass he cries. “I am now one hundred and twenty years old and am no longer able to move about freely; besides, the LORD has told me that I shall not cross this Jordan." He hands on the legacy of this great mission to Joshua, and would die after gazing over the land which he had so treasured. He warns the people to be obedient to Joshua, and to Joshua he warns, "Be brave and steadfast, for you must bring this people into the land which the LORD swore to their fathers he would give them; you must put them in possession of their heritage."
Moses reminds Joshua that it is no small task which he inherits, but rather the fate of a nation. Joe Kennedy stood at the precipice over his Promised Land too. When he realized he would not cross that line his hopes fell to his children. First Joe Jr., who subsequently died, then to John, who of course we all know was the only Kennedy to make it all the way to that office. Each member of this generation, despite their failures, scandals, or infidelities, have just as much victory behind them. Eunice, who we mourn today was the co-founder of the Special Olympics, which started in memory of her fallen sister Rose. Many served the nation as Senators or Ambassadors. As history unfolded and this legacy crumbled it is no doubt that Joe looked on from heaven with a heavy heart, as no doubt did Moses.
We are all led to the edge of our dreams, and we only go so far. What happens next? What's our role? What goals will we reach, and what legacy will we hand on to others. Moses lacked the certainty that Joe Kennedy had. When God called Moses he tried to refuse, he argued that he was not very intelligent or articulate, that he would be a poor choice for this mission. Joshua indeed led the Jews to their promised freedom in the promised land, and then leader after leader had to bring the battle for the mission of faith to where we are today. So too was Joseph Kennedy a carrier of the dream of his father Patrick, and he of his father. What mission do we take part in? What legacy will we leave behind? Which Kennedy will we be? The one who leaves the world surrounded by scandal and inquiry, or the one who leaves in triumph, having made our mark on the world, despite our own faults and failures. This is the legacy and challange that befalls each of us, and that we struggle to achieve everyday.
Tuesday, August 11, 2009
Monday, August 3, 2009
Birds of a Feather
Have you ever owned a Jeep Wrangler? Or ridden in the passenger seat of one? There is no better demonstration of the saying "birds of a feather flock together" then that. I have found that Wrangler drivers find it necessary to acknowledge fellow drivers of the same vehicle to blow the horn, or wave, or somehow acknowledge one another on the road. It's amusing to be certain. Today walking home from the grocery store, a fellow bald man chose to stop me (this was not he first occurrence of this nature) and comment on our common hairstyle...or lack thereof.
These are not uncommon situations. A basic part of our humanity is to rely on similarities with other sin many situations. When I was in Seminary we had common areas of the house, designed to encourage fraternization among fellow Seminarians. It built a sense of community among men who were all going through the same experience, who shared common struggles, and who rejoiced over common victories. It is the same in a Military barracks. For that matter it is the same around the water cooler in an office building. We naturally gravitate towards people with whom we share something in common. In the more serious situations we do so for support.
It is for this reason that Addiction Recovery Programs encourage the community angle of their programs. Support groups for widows, gays, the crippled, the elderly, etc etc are all based on the concept of a community driven effort to work together towards a common goal. These are all well and good, but what do we do when the comfort of others is not enough?
In the First Reading at Mass today, we hear the plight of the Israelites who are walking with Moses through the desert on their 40 year trek to the promised land. They cry and wail about the lack of food, and God send Manna from heaven, a basic bread, to satisfy their needs. God sees in this community that fellowship alone is not going to be enough, so He provides more, but no more then is necessary. The cast of vagabonds are only allowd to retain each day what is required for that meal, and no more, as a demonstration of faith that God will provide more when they need it.
If I were walking with the Israelites I would have not found this to be an acceptable compromise. I would not want to play games. In that setting I am not thinking about faith, I am thinking about realistic concerns that face me on a day to day basis, that must be met. I have needs that must be satisfied. I have a drive for the future that must be acknowledged. To me, Gods answer to my cry from the depths of despair would be viewed as Him playing games. Just give me something to eat without stipulations. Just get me to the Promised Land without delay. Just acknowledge the fact that I am putting my faith in you...and let that be enough.
Today I write this blog with that temperament. It is so easy to loose faith sometimes. Not only in god but in Justice itself. In the very natural order of the universe. The bottom line for us so often is, "look...I cant take anymore." When we offer up this prayer we are told that God will provide exactly what we need, and not a crumb more. In the case of the Israelites it means that He will govern the distribution of the bread from Heaven. In the case of the ambitious it is that He will not grant that promotion. In the case of the "underemployed" he will not provide that raise, those few cents that they don' t necessarily NEED, if they eliminate every cent of excess money that they spend.
The Israelites were God's "Chosen People", so why then did He force them to endure so much torture? Why not just give them all the food they need? Why not provide I faster means of transportation across the desert? Do we really have to suffer every step of the way? Apparently we do. Apparently it is the shoulder of others that we have to rely on. Evidently the tiny droplets of water that God offers when we are on the cusp of dying of thirst and total dehydration, have to be enough to quench our thirst.
Why does God play these games? Perhaps we will never know. Perhaps we will find all out answers in our experiences with others, or upon our own internalization. The bottom line is, while it is true that Birds of a Feather flock together, it is only God who gave them the ability to fly. It is also only God who can provide the sky in which that gift can be expressed.
These are not uncommon situations. A basic part of our humanity is to rely on similarities with other sin many situations. When I was in Seminary we had common areas of the house, designed to encourage fraternization among fellow Seminarians. It built a sense of community among men who were all going through the same experience, who shared common struggles, and who rejoiced over common victories. It is the same in a Military barracks. For that matter it is the same around the water cooler in an office building. We naturally gravitate towards people with whom we share something in common. In the more serious situations we do so for support.
It is for this reason that Addiction Recovery Programs encourage the community angle of their programs. Support groups for widows, gays, the crippled, the elderly, etc etc are all based on the concept of a community driven effort to work together towards a common goal. These are all well and good, but what do we do when the comfort of others is not enough?
In the First Reading at Mass today, we hear the plight of the Israelites who are walking with Moses through the desert on their 40 year trek to the promised land. They cry and wail about the lack of food, and God send Manna from heaven, a basic bread, to satisfy their needs. God sees in this community that fellowship alone is not going to be enough, so He provides more, but no more then is necessary. The cast of vagabonds are only allowd to retain each day what is required for that meal, and no more, as a demonstration of faith that God will provide more when they need it.
If I were walking with the Israelites I would have not found this to be an acceptable compromise. I would not want to play games. In that setting I am not thinking about faith, I am thinking about realistic concerns that face me on a day to day basis, that must be met. I have needs that must be satisfied. I have a drive for the future that must be acknowledged. To me, Gods answer to my cry from the depths of despair would be viewed as Him playing games. Just give me something to eat without stipulations. Just get me to the Promised Land without delay. Just acknowledge the fact that I am putting my faith in you...and let that be enough.
Today I write this blog with that temperament. It is so easy to loose faith sometimes. Not only in god but in Justice itself. In the very natural order of the universe. The bottom line for us so often is, "look...I cant take anymore." When we offer up this prayer we are told that God will provide exactly what we need, and not a crumb more. In the case of the Israelites it means that He will govern the distribution of the bread from Heaven. In the case of the ambitious it is that He will not grant that promotion. In the case of the "underemployed" he will not provide that raise, those few cents that they don' t necessarily NEED, if they eliminate every cent of excess money that they spend.
The Israelites were God's "Chosen People", so why then did He force them to endure so much torture? Why not just give them all the food they need? Why not provide I faster means of transportation across the desert? Do we really have to suffer every step of the way? Apparently we do. Apparently it is the shoulder of others that we have to rely on. Evidently the tiny droplets of water that God offers when we are on the cusp of dying of thirst and total dehydration, have to be enough to quench our thirst.
Why does God play these games? Perhaps we will never know. Perhaps we will find all out answers in our experiences with others, or upon our own internalization. The bottom line is, while it is true that Birds of a Feather flock together, it is only God who gave them the ability to fly. It is also only God who can provide the sky in which that gift can be expressed.
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