Joe Biden was the 46th President of the United States. 2021-2025.
Before that, he was the Vice President of the United States, for eight years, serving with one of the most popular presidents in modern times. 2009-2017.
Before that, he was the United States Senator from the state of Delaware. 1973-2009. It was during that span that I met him. He came to Kentucky for a wedding and I was the officiating minister. But that encounter did not make an impression on either of us. We went our separate ways.
But what does make an impression on me, from a studied distance, is his long and distinguished career as a political leader. 1973-2025 is a long time to sustain such a story of success and service. Not flashy. Not charismatic. Not memorable.
Except for one thing.
In November of 2020, Joe Biden defeated Donald Trump. It was fair and square, as all our elections are, except in the mind of Donald Trump, who launched a now-six-year campaign to discredit that election and the elected one, Joe Biden.
Donald Trump cannot open his mouth without lying, we all know this, including those who come and go at his command. And they all have joined the chorus of lies about Joe Biden. Any time there is a problem, they say, it is Joe Biden’s fault. Not because there is any evidence to support such a claim but solely because Joe Biden defeated Donald Trump in 2020.
Trump hates Biden because Biden beat him at the ballot box. Which is sufficient reason for the rest of us to hate Trump. And love Biden.
Biden made mistakes, yes, and chief among these was the disgraceful departure of the U. S. military from Afghanistan. It did not have to happen that way and it should not have happened that way. But that botched escape pales in comparison to the botched attack on Iran, done at the whim of Biden’s successor, Donald Trump.
Trump plays golf, even when his most fervent followers are gathered, at his direction, at a public prayer meeting on the National Mall in Washington. This public display at religious devotion—sponsoring this Rededicate America spectacle—contrasts to the steady, sober faithfulness of Joe Biden. Not since Jimmy Carter taught Sunday School through the four years of his presidency (1977-1981) has the White House witnessed such faith and practice of a disciplined Christian man. As a Catholic Christian, Joe Biden attended mass with a regularity that would please the Pope, even the one from Chicago (which whom he shares many convictions).
I honor Joe Biden for his faithfulness to his church and his country, for the truthfulness with which he lived and spoke, for the steadfastness that enabled him to survive crises both public and private, for his refusal to seek revenge toward his enemies, for his generosity of word and deed, for the dignity he brought to his high office, for all the qualities of mind and soul that inspired people, year after year, decade after decade, to elect him to high office.
Perhaps I will meet Joe Biden again. Perhaps not. It is reported that he now has cancer, and cancer is a killer. Not six weeks ago, I helped lead a public service of memory and mourning for a 42-year-old minister in Georgia. But I have a handful of friends, from New York to Virginia to Texas whose cancer diagnosis has not led to death. So, I am hopeful: hopeful for Joe Biden and hopeful for the United States of America that he served so well.
Thank you, Joe, from a distance. But if, in the providence of God, our paths cross again, I will hold your hand and pray for your healing and also give thanks for your long and faithful journey as a citizen of both heaven and earth. Thanks be to God.
Joe Biden was the 46th President of the United States. 2021-2025.
Before that, he was the Vice President of the United States, for eight years, serving with one of the most popular presidents in modern times. 2009-2017.
Before that, he was the United States Senator from the state of Delaware. 1973-2009. It was during that span that I met him. He came to Kentucky for a wedding and I was the officiating minister. But that encounter did not make an impression on either of us. We went our separate ways.
But what does make an impression on me, from a studied distance, is his long and distinguished career as a political leader. 1973-2025 is a long time to sustain such a story of success and service. Not flashy. Not charismatic. Not memorable.
Except for one thing.
In November of 2020, Joe Biden defeated Donald Trump. It was fair and square, as all our elections are, except in the mind of Donald Trump, who launched a now-six-year campaign to discredit that election and the elected one, Joe Biden.
Donald Trump cannot open his mouth without lying, we all know this, including those who come and go at his command. And they all have joined the chorus of lies about Joe Biden. Any time there is a problem, they say, it is Joe Biden’s fault. Not because there is any evidence to support such a claim but solely because Joe Biden defeated Donald Trump in 2020.
Trump hates Biden because Biden beat him at the ballot box. Which is sufficient reason for the rest of us to hate Trump. And love Biden.
Biden made mistakes, yes, and chief among these was the disgraceful departure of the U. S. military from Afghanistan. It did not have to happen that way and it should not have happened that way. But that botched escape pales in comparison to the botched attack on Iran, done at the whim of Biden’s successor, Donald Trump.
Trump plays golf, even when his most fervent followers are gathered, at his direction, at a public prayer meeting on the National Mall in Washington. This public display at religious devotion—sponsoring this Rededicate America spectacle—contrasts to the steady, sober faithfulness of Joe Biden. Not since Jimmy Carter taught Sunday School through the four years of his presidency (1977-1981) has the White House witnessed such faith and practice of a disciplined Christian man. As a Catholic Christian, Joe Biden attended mass with a regularity that would please the Pope, even the one from Chicago (which whom he shares many convictions).
I honor Joe Biden for his faithfulness to his church and his country, for the truthfulness with which he lived and spoke, for the steadfastness that enabled him to survive crises both public and private, for his refusal to seek revenge toward his enemies, for his generosity of word and deed, for the dignity he brought to his high office, for all the qualities of mind and soul that inspired people, year after year, decade after decade, to elect him to high office.
Perhaps I will meet Joe Biden again. Perhaps not. It is reported that he now has cancer, and cancer is a killer. Not six weeks ago, I helped lead a public service of memory and mourning for a 42-year-old minister in Georgia. But I have a handful of friends, from New York to Virginia to Texas whose cancer diagnosis has not led to death. So, I am hopeful: hopeful for Joe Biden and hopeful for the United States of America that he served so well.
Thank you, Joe, from a distance. But if, in the providence of God, our paths cross again, I will hold your hand and pray for your healing and also give thanks for your long and faithful journey as a citizen of both heaven and earth. Thanks be to God.
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