Last October, I gave two talks just before the presidential election. The content weaved together themes from an earlier essay about the symbiosis between polarization and Pope Francis’ call for “better politics” in his 2020 encyclical Fratelli. Tutti. ”
During these meetings, I realized that Francis’ expression of politics as “a noble mission and one of the highest forms of charity insofar as it pursues the common good” was not true from the point of view of political tactics. commented that it would be considered almost catastrophically stupid. He urged politicians to “make the first sacrifice to foster encounters” and “be prepared to listen to other views.” To no one’s surprise, neither of the major presidential candidates took Pope Francis’ advice (or my advice). I think this can be interpreted as an agreement that such a political vision, no matter how beautiful, is unlikely to win elections.
I wasn’t thinking of former President Jimmy Carter when I gave these talks, but as I write this column, the nation is preparing for his funeral. He is perhaps the best example in modern American history of how trying to practice virtue in politics can hinder electoral success. But there are far more important lessons to be learned from his execution of the noble calling of politics, which lasted well beyond his four years in the White House.
When I think of Mr. Carter’s life, I am also reminded of the cover of the June 11, 2018 print issue of America. Its cover featured photos of George W. Bush, Barack Obama, and Donald Trump under the heading, “Don’t pay too much attention to these people.” “Men” pointed to an article by Nathan Schneider that argued for the end of the “presidential cult.”
It is a common observation that Mr. Carter’s post-presidential career was more successful than his single term as president. From building homes with Habitat for Humanity to overseeing elections around the world to leading a spectacularly successful campaign to eradicate Guinea worm disease, he has spent his career in politics Even after his death, he remained dedicated to the public interest. One thing that remains consistent across these various efforts is that they are not designed to bring Carter to the fore. He has allowed us to pay less attention to Him and more attention to the problem being solved and to those serving and being served in that effort.
Therefore, rather than saying that Mr. Carter was more successful in his post-presidency than he was during his time in office, it is more accurate to say that Mr. Carter’s identity as a public servant and as a citizen was larger and more important than his role as president. Probably. His noble calling of politics and service to the common good was not limited to holding political office, but because of it the world as a whole was bettered.
There are other lessons to be learned from Carter’s life. After spending time in Washington, D.C., he returned to his hometown of Plains, Georgia, where he and his wife, Rosalyn, lived the rest of his life. At a time when American life is geographically “sorted” along ideological lines between red and blue states, his grit and dedication to a particular local community have become increasingly popular with political and cultural elites. Many of them leave their homes and never look back.
Mr. Carter also lived a life of deep discipleship. Of course, his humanitarian service was fueled by his deep Christian faith, which was supported by members of Maranatha Baptist Church in the Plains, where he famously taught Sunday School for decades. . As president, he began his inaugural address by quoting from the Bible. And all that the Lord requires of you is to do justice, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with your God” (Mi 6:8). At the end of his speech, he listed his hopes for what people will say about America after he takes office, saying, “If we can remember Micah’s words and renew our search for humility, mercy, and justice.” It started with this hope.
A Jesuit friend of mine recently told me about a time he prayed in the “King’s Call” meditation. In this meditation, St. Ignatius invites backsliders to remember the noble kings of the earth in order to prepare them to respond to the call of Christ the King. , Jimmy Carter was one of the “kings of the earth” who helped hear God’s call to justice and service.
As a nation, we need to remember Micah’s words and reignite Mr. Carter’s hope for a renewed search for humility, mercy, and justice. Perhaps one help in doing so is to learn from his example that our noble political mission as a people may be even more important than the office of president.
