It is important to be interested in politics. As believers in Jesus Christ we are invited to constantly be of help and of service to others. This is the reason why it so vital for committed Catholics and believers in Jesus Christ to become directly involved in the overall running of our nations and parliaments. It is very regrettable that politics have been taunted with consumption, compromise, double talk and selfishness. However being part of a political process provides also an opportunity for people of faith to guide a particular country or state to be governed with the values and principles of Jesus Christ.
Over the years many people have been able to leave a positive mark on others through their involvement in politics as believers. Doug Hammarskjold was General Secretary of the United Nations. He died in a plane crash in Africa in 1961 at the age of fifty six. He was a great ambassador for peace and he saw his political life as a ministry of service based on his belief in God. He was influenced by the Old Testament prophets and one of his famous quotes which proved to be the basis for his actions was “Indifference to evil is worse than evil itself and in a free society, some are guilty but all are responsible.
Gandhi was also a deeply religious man who involved himself so fully in politics. He said, “I am in politics because I cannot separate life from belief. Because I believe in God I have to enter politics. Politics is my service of God”.
Having said all of this, the difficulty arises when something that is being promoted by the state or the nation is directly opposite to the values and principles enunciated by Jesus. What is a believer involved in politics going to do when faced with a legislation or with a course of action that is dramatically opposite to the teaching of Jesus Christ? It is impossible in such a situation to be loyal to what the State is proposing as well as to one’s belief. Choices need to be made.
When Jesus said that it is important to give Caesar what belongs to him. He presupposes that what State is proposing is just and for the overall welfare of the people. What Jesus is proposing is a principle whose practical implications need to be worked out when faced with particular situations. This requires serious reflections, seeking advice and a constant willingness to do what is good, just and right.
As believers our ultimate loyalty is to God. God alone is to be worshipped and adored but in other things we gladly acknowledge and serve those who are responsible for leadership in our countries praying that they will exercise responsibility wisely and justly. At the same time we need to remember that politics and the so called rules of society are not necessarily means to a just and peaceful life. This is where serious decisions are called for by believers in Jesus Christ. This is especially relevant in our time as we are experiencing the demise of many of the so called “solid” financial institutions. In his opening address to the Bishops gathered for the Synod of the Scriptures, Pope Benedict XVI made this reflection. “Furthermore the Word of God is foundation of everything, it is the true reality. And to be realistic, we must rely upon this reality. We must change our ideas matter; solid things, things we can touch, are the more solid, the more certain reality. At the end of the Sermon on the Mount the Lord speaks to us about the two possible foundations for building the house of one’s life: sand and rock. The one who builds on sand builds only on visible and tangible things, on success, on career, on money. Apparently these are true realities. But all this will one day pass away. We can see this now with the fall of large banks: this money disappears, it is nothing. And thus all things which seem to be true realities we can count on are only realities of a secondary order. The one who builds his life on these realities, on matter, on success, on appearances, builds upon sand. Only the Word of God is the foundation of all reality. It is as stable as the heavens and more than the heavens. It is reality. Therefore, we must change our concept of realism. The realist is the one who recognises the Word of God, in this apparently weak reality, as the foundation of all things. Realist is the one who builds his life on this foundation, which is permanent”.
There are too many “Caesars” trying to claim our allegiance and out total support. There is the political party, the business that I work for and the club that I belong to. As believers in Jesus Christ our first loyalty and commitment is to God and our decisions need to be made according to this overall principle.
God Bless
