I suppose it is the nature of 21st century media that we build emotional connections with people we have never met. I have been experiencing that over the last few hours since hearing the tragic news of Tim Russert's death.
I was in my physician's waiting room, restlessly tapping my foot, when my phone vibrated, alerting me to a breaking news report. I read it on a two inch screen with dismay and shock. It seemed personal.
The tributes on the television tonight have been remarkable. His commitment to family, love of his dad and his son, got much of the respect from the hardened journalists and politicians who spoke of him throughout the evening.
These days I sometimes get asked about where I attend church. My answer, depending on who is asking, is to chuckle and say that I'm often at Meet the Press church. I don't mean to be disrespectful to religion. Not at all. But there is a measure of larger truth to what I'm saying there. That program has for 17 years been hosted by a man who, in addition to his love of family, understands history and culture and has a healthy respect for faith and patriotism. Every Sunday he looks across the table at our world's movers and shakers and respectfully but fearlessly asks the penetrating questions that need to be asked on behalf of us all.
In other words, he pursued the truth. At its best, when it is on message, that is what religion does. All churches should do so well as to have one such as this as their messenger.
I was struck by the almost constant references made by Russert's friends and colleagues to his faith; his experiences in Catholic grade school and his Jesuit (Society of Jesus) training. I remember one woman journalist stating that "Tim was CATHOLIC". I too, am Catholic. I too, am Jesuit trained.
ReplyDeleteThe Catholic faith tradition, like all faith traditions I suppose, is not perfect. But, there is something special about the Jesuits. They just may be perfect:) I kept hearing about how sometimes Tim was irreverent...:) Well, the Jesuits can be/are HUGELY irreverent..Sometimes that is good and necessary when pushing people to think and to question. Sometimes it is just fun.
I kept hearing about accountability, excellence, preparation, intellect,reflection, and the responsibility to serve those who do not have as much as we might. That is the Jesuit way.
The Jesuits have a challenge for society. I think it may push all of us to to pursue truth, to be the kind of man that Tim Russert was. The challenge goes like this:
"You are called by the Society of Jesus to be men and women who reflect upon the world around you with all its ambiguities, opportunities and challenges, to discern what is really happening in your life and in the lives of others, to find God there and to discover where God is calling you, to employ criteria for significant life choices that reflect Godly values rather than narrow, exclusive self interest,to make decisions in the light of what is truly for the greater glory of God and the service of those in need, and then to act accordingly."
-Fr. Kolvenbach, SJ
Tim Russert lived the Jesuit challenge. He was a man of brilliant mind and extraordinary spirit. The world will miss him.
I too was struck dumb by the death of Tim Russert. I loved to watch Meet the Press on Sunday mornings and watched with great interest when he moderated a political discussion. He was one of a kind. He will definitely be missed. It will be interested in seeing who will become the new host of Meet the Press. They will have some very big shoes to fill.
ReplyDeleteI have been in mourning. I really had no idea how attached I was to this personality until I heard he had died. How many times I have been late to Mass because I had to watch him every Sunday morning. I also watched as much as I could on MSNBC and any election evenings. I watched because he was serious, he was always prepared, he was NEVER mean, and seemed like such a good guy! Such a rarity in television news...and he made me proud to be Catholic...not overly pious, just a regular guy trying to live his faith and do right. I'm also more than a little bit concerned that I may need to get a life.....still Tim Russert is going to be missed and I'm not at all convinced he can be replaced.
ReplyDeleteGreat post there Grant!
ReplyDeleteYour opening paragraph reminded me of something that I said on my blog this past Saturday. I said "It is funny what kind of affect that a celebrity passing away can have on us, especially a News Reporter. I think a special connection is especially made with the person that you trust to bring you the news eventhough you do not personally know each other. Tim was one of those people for me."
Election night won't be the same this year. He will be missed!
i'm pretty much an Ostrich ,my head in the sand, when it comes to watching the news. I watched a lot of news during the Viet Nam War and was disappointed. so i pretty much stay away from any news programs. Which is sad.
ReplyDeleteHere was a fine man, from what i gather he was a very open person. i new of him, yes there are times that i do watch the news and see Tim, i'm just sorry i didn't watch more, and got to know of him like the rest of you.
it's not many times in our lives that great people can have an effect on our lives, so when it happens we treasure it.
i understand the grief of losing a husband and a father, and my heart and my prayers goes out to the family.
I have heard that they are considering Chris Matthews as his replacement. I think he would be too controversial as the replacement, myself. Matthews was the one who said the only reason Hillary ran for president was that Bill had been unfaithful to her.
ReplyDeleteI think Chris tends to run off at the mouth before engaging his brain.
I would like to see Andrea Mitchell take over.
ReplyDeleteI was telling someone at church last Sunday that it almost seems like they should cancel the show in Tim's honor and start a whole new program.