Watching the funeral Mass for Ted Kennedy yesterday, and reading media reports of the proceedings, I was struck by how awkward and over-the-top some of the coverage was.
As expected, some of the comments made on the air during the televised "event" were a bit much.
TV Newser has assembled some quotes from the coverage of the funeral.
I completely understand why the family permitted the funeral Mass of such a prominent public figure as Ted Kennedy to be televised. It allows millions of people to take part beyond the relatively few that filled the basilica. Still, I'm not entirely comfortable with the spectacle nature of these occasions.
As a Catholic, I think the significance of the Mass gets lost amid the often lame commentary from anchors and pundits, the celebrity sightings, the inappropriate political speculation about who will fill Kennedy's senate seat and the impact his death will have on health care reform.
The New York Times offered some rather odd observations in its account.
At the blessing of the Eucharist, the Kennedy family kneels — an old-school Catholic tradition. On the other side of the aisle, so do Vice President Biden and his wife while Mr. Obama and his wife sit.
The “Ave Maria” — sung by Susan Graham here — draws tears from Kara Kennedy, the senator’s daughter, a lingering sadness and gulp from Vicki Kennedy, and as the cameras pan in, former President Bill Clinton seems equally moved.
"Old-school Catholic tradition"?
I do it every week.
The play-by-play aspect of the coverage somewhat diminishes the beauty of the Mass of the Resurrection.
Who's gulping? Who's crying and when? Who's moved?
It's so intrusive. I can't imagine having cameras and reporters document my behavior and reactions at the funeral Mass of a loved one.
Moreover, I don't like the liturgy being analyzed from a secular perspective, without explanation as to the significance to the faithful of what's taking place.
I was surprised that Rev. Mark Hession's homily didn't place a greater deal of emphasis on the Resurrection, eternal life, and Jesus' triumph over death, opting instead for pretty much another run-down of Kennedy's life. Fr. Hession did provide insight into the experience of ministering to the Kennedys, but the broader message of our faith took a bit of a back seat.
It could be that this most powerful and poignant rite and the spiritual peace and assurance that comes when celebrating the Mass of the Resurrection just don't translate well on TV.
I hope the Kennedy family and other mourners found comfort in the Mass, and their grief was tempered by the promise of eternal life and the presence of Jesus encountered during the liturgy. If that was their experience, then that's all that really matters.
To me, Obama's eulogy seemed distant. I think that was probably due to the fact that he made his remarks after Ted Kennedy's sons, Ted Kennedy, Jr. and Patrick Kennedy, each spoke about their dad.
Naturally, their tributes included very personal stories. Although certainly acknowledging their father's public role, they were speaking mostly as children dealing with the loss of a parent, a pivotal moment in any individual's life.
They expressed the love they have for their dad, and each other, beautifully.
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Video of Ted Kennedy, Jr.'s remarks.
Video of Patrick Kennedy's remarks.
7 comments:
President Obama's eulogy, was offered in violation of liturgical law, still it was the most palatable of what turned out to be three eulogies offered in violation of liturgical law, the first, Teddy Jr.'s, being maudlin, but mostly coherent if at times inappropriately partisan, while the second, that of Rep. Pat Kennedy, was embarrassingly pathetic and even included a joke about "that damn Kennedy" from the sanctuary!
At least they did not show communion. I am not sure I could have handled if Obama decided to partake.
What do you mean? How did Obama's eulogy violate liturgical law?
I've been to Catholic funerals, including those of members of my own family, where people speak about the deceased.
On those occasions, the priest called the individuals to speak at the same point in the Mass.
I think Ted Jr. and Patrick's remarks were fitting and very moving.
Funny that you mention saying "damn."
At the Mass I attended this weekend, as the priest was delivering his homily, he used the word "damn."
Watching George W. Bush at the funeral of Teddy Kennedy yesterday was, to say the very least, amusing. It's always great fun to witness the members of the vast right wing conspiracy confronted head-on with the theological flaws that are inherent in their philosophy. Watching that event with my pal, Kevin Swanwick, we both were mesmerized and just slightly overjoyed to be reminded yet again that the basic tenets of Liberalism are in perfect harmony with our Christianity - our Catholicism: feed the hungry, shelter the poor and clothe the naked. Oh, how I wish the camera would have cut to Bush's face the moment he was confronted with the most famous line (and justly so) from the Gospel according to Matthew:
"I tell you this: whatever you did to the least of these brothers of mine, you did to me."
Jesus of Nazareth
One can only imagine how uncomfortable that passage from the scriptures must have made him feel. Or how about the Sermon on the Mount?
"Blessed are the peace makers
For they shall be called Sons of God."
I imagine being confronted with the words of Jesus Christ might make old George just a tad uneasy. The prayers that were offered up by the youngest members of the Kennedy clan, in Teddy's own words, were the most touching part of the entire day:
"That human beings be measured not by what they cannot do. That quality health care becomes a fundamental right and not a privilege. That old policies of race and gender die away. That newcomers be accepted, no matter their color or place of birth. That the nation stand united against violence, hate and war. That the work begins anew, and the dream lives on. We pray to the Lord."
Lord hear our prayer.
After the mass had ended, and Kevin and I headed into town to get a cup of coffee, I was almost stunned by the good cheer I felt. Ted Kennedy's funeral was truly a joyous event. Truth be told, it was damned-near therapeutic! The politics of joy as opposed to the politics of fear. There ain't nothin' like it in the world, Baby!
http://www.tomdegan.blogspot.com
Tom Degan
Goshen, NY
Tom,
Are you aware of what President Bush did for the people of Africa, the millions of lives he saved?
Do you know how committed he was to them as they struggled in their battles against malaria, AIDS, and poverty?
Do you realize that President Bush did more for Africa than ANY other administration?
Read what Obama has offered to do for Africa.
You might also be interested in this article.
In TIME, Bob Geldof writes:
I have always wondered why it was never told properly to the American people, who were paying for it. It was, for example, Bush who initiated the President's Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR) with cross-party support led by Senators John Kerry and Bill Frist. In 2003, only 50,000 Africans were on HIV antiretroviral drugs — and they had to pay for their own medicine. Today, 1.3 million are receiving medicines free of charge. The U.S. also contributes one-third of the money for the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria — which treats another 1.5 million. It contributes 50% of all food aid (though some critics find the mechanism of contribution controversial). On a seven-day trip through Africa, Bush announced a fantastic new $350 million fund for other neglected tropical diseases that can be easily eradicated; a program to distribute 5.2 million mosquito nets to Tanzanian kids; and contracts worth around $1.2 billion in Tanzania and Ghana from the Millennium Challenge Account, another initiative of the Bush Administration.
So why doesn't America know about this? "I tried to tell them. But the press weren't much interested," says Bush.
Bob Geldof gets what was lost on many of President Bush's critics.
I don't think President Bush squirmed during the reading from the Gospel according to Matthew. I don't think that made him uncomfortable at all.
I do think it's strange that you seem to take delight in imagining President Bush being uneasy when "confronted with the words of Jesus Christ."
Read about President Bush the "politics of joy."
The Rite of Christian Funerals 141 says: “A brief homily based on the readings is always given after the gospel reading at the funeral liturgy and may also be given after the readings at the vigil service; but there is never to be a eulogy.”
The 2000 GIRM 338 says: "At the funeral Mass there should as a rule be a short homily, but never a eulogy of any kind. The homily is also recommended at other Masses for the dead celebrated with a congregation."
A funeral SERVICE is not a MASS.
I don't know. I suppose at issue is what constitutes a eulogy.
As I said, I've attended Catholic funeral Masses where people have shared their remembrances of the deceased. These were planned speakers, not a free-for-all from the pews.
In all cases, this occurred at the same time, after Communion.
Some of the celebrants involved in these Masses I know to be sticklers to the rules and quite conservative.
In any event, the remarks (eulogies?) from family members and colleagues were heartfelt, respectful, very moving, and of great comfort to mourners.
There must be some leeway that permits the priests to allow and even encourage people to speak.
It's quite a coincidence that the Gospel reading yesterday addressed the issue of adherence to rules.
Mk 7:1-8, 14-15, 21-23
Here's a place where you can find a very interesting comment about some of what is being discussed on this post. You only need to read the first two or three paragraphs, as the rest you will have heard before. As an Episcopal deacon, I agree with what he says about the media coverage and the audience it was surely reaching.
Elisabeth Payne Rosen
www.hallamswar.com
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