Mike, who passed away Monday after a two-year fight with cancer, was a friend. So I make no pretense of being objective, but I believe this is true: Mike Cromartie did more to ensure that American political journalism is imbued with religious tolerance, biblical literacy, historical insight, and an ecumenical spirit than any person alive. No one is a close second. This man was one of a kind.
He was also gratifying to be around. I once read that Mother Teresa said a Christian's first obligation is to smile. I inferred that her idea was that if this is working for you – believing in Jesus -- it ought to make you happy. A smile, in other words, fits St. Augustine's description of the sacraments: an outward and visible sign of inward spiritual grace. Mike took this to a whole other level. He never employed a smile when a laugh would do, and didn't stop at laughing when a guffaw was in order.
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