I woke up this morning after a long day of travel to see a message regarding the death of Senator Lindsey Graham. I thought that surely it was a mistake or a pretty poor joke. They must have meant someone else or some news with Iran or Russia must have broken late in the night that I simply hadn’t seen. I couldn’t fathom that Graham passed away so suddenly.
Graham was 71-years-old. He wasn’t exactly a spring chicken, but in an age when politicians are increasingly defined by their age, he seemed fairly youthful as compared to his colleagues. As many have pointed out, he seemed perfectly healthy in videos we saw just hours before his passing and was even scheduled for media appearances this morning.
Countless articles that you will see and read about Graham will discuss his life and politics. They will talk about his great moments defending Justice Kavanaugh or his dedication to protecting Trump’s America First movement when many of his closest friends and allies turned their backs on the leader of the GOP. His work on those subjects during his life should be celebrated and praised, but I would prefer to speak about his death instead.
Graham’s death is a complete shock to many, and while sad and tragic, it serves as a reminder of our mortality. Of how fleeting our time on Earth is. Of how we are just pilgrims in this world awaiting our life with our Lord in the next.
A Latin phrase that often comes across the Catholic mind is “memento mori” or “remember you will die,” which encourages the faithful to reflect on their life and sin in hopes of repentance ahead of our judgement before God. As I sat in Mass with my family, that phrase ran across my mind and heart repeatedly. It called me to prayer.
Prayers for the soul of Graham as he, God willing, enters into the Kingdom of Heaven. Prayers for his family, friends, and colleagues who are grieving his departure from this world, and who must process that grief while so many bitter people in the media and politics spout hateful comments about the departed.
It also called me to introspection, remembering that myself or my family can be taken from this world at any moment. Are we giving our hearts completely over to God? Are we living as He has called us to? Are we prepared for death? I won’t be so arrogant to say that the answer to those questions is wholeheartedly yes, but we hope to get there with the help of His grace.
So thank you, Senator Graham. Not for your achievements. Not for being a prominent member of the Republican party. But for helping the world to remember that we do not belong to this world, but to Jesus Christ.
Requiescat in pace.