“Her brilliance is matched only by her compassion.”—Laura Wolk commenting on Judge Amy Barrett
One of the most impressive people to be nominated to the Supreme Court of the United States of America is Judge Amy Coney Barrett. She was born Amy Vivian Coney on January 28, 1972. She has become an American attorney, jurist, and academic who serves as a circuit judge on the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Seventh Circuit. “President Donald Trump nominated Barrett to the Seventh Circuit on May 8, 2017, and the Senate confirmed her on October 31, 2017. Before and while serving on the federal bench, she has been a professor of law at Notre Dame Law School, where she has taught civil procedure, constitutional law, and statutory interpretation” (Wikipedia).
During her nomination to be placed on the Court of Appeals for the Seventh Circuit, one of her staunchest critics, Senator Dianne Feinstein, said in a pejorative way, “The dogma lives loudly in you,” a reference to the devout Christian faith Judge Barrett displays.
It is true. Christian virtues are manifested in Judge Barrett. At her confirmation hearing for the Supreme Court, a former student recalls how Professor Barrett helped her during a critical time in embarking on a legal career. The story of Laura Wolk. the first blind Supreme Court clerk, is recorded by Ronn Blitzer for Fox News.
“Laura Wolk, a former student of Judge Amy Coney Barrett, appeared before the Senate Judiciary Committee Thursday and recalled how her former professor helped her on her path to becoming the first blind Supreme Court clerk.
Wolk was one of eight witnesses who testified at Barrett’s Supreme Court confirmation hearing Thursday. While some of the others expressed concern over how they believe Barrett may rule on certain issues, Wolk spoke in glowing and definitive terms regarding Barrett’s character.
“Her brilliance is matched only by her compassion, and her integrity is unassailable,” Wolk said.
Wolk, who clerked for Justice Clarence Thomas in 2019, recalled that before she started at Notre Dame Law School, she made arrangements to have technical assistance to help her with her studies. When she arrived on campus, however, those arrangements had not been made, and then her own computer had technical problems, leaving her “struggling to keep up in class” and falling behind.
Just weeks into class she explained her situation to Barrett, baring her emotions as she “poured out all my concerns,” not just regarding her studies, but about her difficulties being a blind woman in a new place.
‘Laura,’ she said, with the same measured conviction that we have seen displayed throughout her entire nomination process, ‘this is no longer your problem. It’s my problem,'” Wolk recalled. “I can’t capture adequately the relief that washed over me at her words.”
Wolk said that she does not know what Barrett did following this discussion, but the technological assistance she required “arrived promptly” thereafter.
“The very best aspect of that story is that it is hardly unique,” Wolk continued. “Those who have had the benefit of knowing Amy Coney Barrett understand that she possesses a boundless font of energy and a radical sense of love that she is ever ready to pour out upon those lucky enough to call her teacher, boss, family, and friend.
“Anyone who has interacted with her knows that she is a woman of her word,” Wolk said. “She means what she says, and she says what she means.”
The dogma that lives loud in Judge Amy Coney Barrett is rooted in her Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ. Jesus said, “Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For My yoke is easy and My burden is light” (Matt. 11:28-30, NKJV).
Jesus says to every person who comes to Him with their burdens, “This is no longer your problem. It’s my problem.” Amy Coney Barrett came to Jesus with her own problem. She too needed help. She needed love. She needed someone to care for her. She found that her problem of sin became the problem of Jesus who bore our sins in His own body for our redemption. Because Amy Barrett was forgiven, she is able to forgive others. Because Amy Barrett received compassion, she is able to show mercy to others. Because Amy Barrett loves Jesus, she can reflect His love in her own life.
May it be said of every Christian “The dogma lives loud” in you—because of Jesus.
