Christopher, I am so glad you posted this. As a Catholic active in the charismatic renewal, Bob Novak has given what we call a "testimony": a heartfelt recounting of the grace of God in dire circumstances. Come to think of it, I think John McCain's recounting in his convention acceptance speech of how the North Vietnamese "broke him" and of how that much more difficult circumstance led to his transformation from a self-centered, cocky Navy pilot to a more humble, less selfish man was also a "testimony."
I was moved my McCain's testimony during his convention speech as well. Michael Liccione of Sacramentum Vitate had a good post recently:
What he said, in effect, is this: being imprisoned, mistreated, and manipulated by the North Vietnamese for years, reducing him at some points to complete dependence on his fellow American prisoners, but never causing him to accept his captors' cynical offer to release him out of turn, taught him that his life was not about him. It was about serving others in a cause greater than himself, and being constantly grateful to God for the opportunity to do that, no matter how much suffering and how many setbacks that might involve. That is the pivotal factor which has made John McCain the man he is. That is what makes his candidacy worthwhile.
Of course McCain has wanted to be President of the United States for many years. That means he has quite an ego, like most politicians—especially most Senators, who would love to be President if they could be. He is quick-tempered, unpredictable, and often takes pleasure in irritating, even alienating, ostensible allies as he reaches out to those they consider enemies. He is not a saint, any more than Barack Obama is a saint. But unlike Obama, McCain is an authentic hero. He didn't just go through a hazing rite. He didn't just kill. He was forged for a long time in a searing crucible. He professes to believe that his political career is justified only in terms of what motivated him then and what he learned then.
Thanks for posting Christopher. I found myself making -- shall we say -- not so kind remarks about Sen. Kennedy at the time of his address to the DNC.
This is a good reminder that I should not be so harsh.
My prayers for both Kennedy and Novak.
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