Theodore Cardinal McCarrick, the retired Archbishop of Washington, recently spoke on MSNBC about the life and death of one of my favorite journalists, Tim Russert. After talking about what a great man Russert was, McCarrick offered an explanation on why the Lord would allow him to die in the prime of his life: “God wanted him now.”
That’s as good as McCarrick could do? God wanted him now? Does God need him more than Russert’s wife and son or millions of Americans who depend on his journalistic expertise? What kind of God is that?
How about: we don’t know God’s timing or plans and won’t be able to until we meet Tim in heaven? That would at least be somewhat satisfying.
Of course, I think I’ve found a better answer. Stuff happens. Tim had the bad luck of having a major heart attack. Nature gives no favors. My guitar teacher’s beautiful 3-year-old son can died of a brain tumor NOT because “God wanted him now.” He died because something went haywire in nature’s order, got cancer and died. It sucks hard, but the randomness of nature is more satisfying than the randomness of God.
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4 responses so far ↓
1 Wil // Jun 18, 2008 at 12:09 am
Great point, and I ask myself why it’s easier to accept from nature than God. Perhaps it’s the lack of intent in nature, and the assumption of intent with God? It’s random and there’s no one to really blame with nature… you know?
2 comm's // Jun 18, 2008 at 5:58 am
Nailed it. I tire of pastors and clergy who answer in essence, “have faith” to questions that demand a more biblical or a more realistic answer, especially when the root question is a question the person has ABOUT keeping faith.
3 Chris // Jun 18, 2008 at 7:08 am
I agree that this is a rather bogus explanation from a retired archbishop. Whether or not “God wanted him now”, I’m confident that Russert, a man of great faith and character, certianly is with God at this moment. Russert will be sorely missed.
4 pat // Jul 22, 2008 at 5:24 am
Our ways are not God’s ways, so we cannot presume to understand the Big Picture of how and why He does things. No matter what the question, our finite minds cannot comprehend God’s reasons. The Bible does say that our days are numbered by God. So anyone’s death can be incentive to examine our own lives and hope to make a difference while we are here. Tim Russert did leave big footprints for others to follow, and it was inspiring to hear from those who knew him well. He did make a positive difference in other’s lives. That’s what we need to focus on rather than the archbishop’s vague and simplistic response.
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