Lent and our Politicians

“WHAT does it profit a man if he should gain the whole world and lose his own soul?” (Matthew 6: 19-21)

So goes one of the most popular and familiar quotes from the Bible.

As the nation and the rest of the Christian world observes the holy days this Lenten Week, this age-old question is an apt jump off point for reflection among our public servants who are, as early as now, already thinking about their future in politics with the scheduled May 2010 elections.

Politicians would not disagree that politics can be intoxicating, what with its accompanying prestige, power and opportunities, albeit illegal, for substantial financial gain. These fringe benefits of going into public service can easily overshadow the supposed basic and primary motivation for pursuing a career in politics: work for the benefit of the people.

The fact that our predominantly Catholic nation has repeatedly and continuously been ranked by international monitoring institutions as among the countries with the most corrupt government shows that by and large, our politicians are not living up to the ideals of their calling. The evils of greed and selfishness hover over our democratic system of government. Personal gain takes precedence over the public good.

Lent provides an opportunity for some soul searching among our politicians – a time to be honest with themselves, re-assess their intentions for going into public service, review what they aim to accomplish for the good of those whom they serve, and reflect on the virtues of humility, integrity, decency, and sacrifice.

For the rest of the population, regardless of religion, the free time during the long public holidays is not just an opportunity for rest and recreation, but is likewise a good time for re-assessing their own values and criteria as to the kind of leaders that they want to be at the helm of our town, city, province, and country.

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