Love, Truth & Humility in Politics

By S. Bill Jimenez

THE CAMPAIGN SEASON is on high gear and politicians are up and busy selling their political agenda. To gain political advantage and ensure election victory, some of them resort to nasty and dirty tactics and phony innuendos. We often hear of plain lies and distortions of facts. They talk about duty, honor and country, but they show dereliction, dishonor and self-aggrandizement. They easily execute “about face” in their principles and actions. We hear of turncoats or political butterflies.

It seems amazing that some politicians are so good and committed on how to win an election, but once elected they go virtually AWOL and do little or nothing to advance what’s best for the nation. What is important is not just winning an election, but good governance. We want to hear more about substantial policies and programs to meet the demands of the 21st century, but they depend on celebrities and more of the same shenanigans in their campaign. Millions of pesos are spent on “approved” TV ads that are so disgusting and unbelievable.

Some politicians are proud of their Christian beliefs, which they openly proclaim, but their actions and pronouncements are made clear by their “black”, “yellow” or “red” propaganda. They preach about what’s good for the country, but actually they concentrate on their political ambition and power. They are condescending as they denigrate their opponents and boast of their self-righteousness. Such religious and political hypocrisy by inflating their self-righteousness betrays what God and the Bible tell us to say and do. The behavior of these politicians reminds us of the Parable of the Pharisee and the Tax Collector.

“To some who were confident of their own righteousness and looked down on everyone else, Jesus told this parable: ‘Two men went up to the temple to pray, one a Pharisee and the other a tax collector. The Pharisee stood by himself and prayed: ‘God, I thank you that I am not like other people—robbers, evildoers, adulterers—or even like this tax collector. I fast twice a week and give a tenth of all I get.’ But the tax collector stood at a distance. He would not even look up to heaven, but beat his breast and said, ‘God, have mercy on me, a sinner.’ I tell you this man, rather than the other, went home justified before God. For all who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted” (Luke 18:9-14). In this parable of Jesus, the Pharisee exalted his self-righteousness, while the tax collector acknowledged his sins. The former did not need God, but the latter recognized his spiritual poverty and his need for mercy.

In his second inaugural address, President Abraham Lincoln spoke of what can also be the right attitude and action of our present political leaders: “With malice toward none; with charity for all; with firmness in the right, as God sees us to see the right, let us strive on to finish the work we are in; to bind up the nation’s wounds; to care for him who shall have borne the battle, and for his widow, and his orphan—to do all which may achieve and cherish a just and lasting peace, among ourselves, and with all nations.” We want to hear pronouncements like these from our politicians—love, humility, unity, change, peace, faith and hope.

These concepts envisioned by Lincoln can be gleaned from Paul’s letter to the Romans, chapter 12: “Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will… Be devoted to one another in love. Honor one another above yourselves… Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse… Live in harmony with one another. Do not be proud, but willing to associate with people of low position. Do not think you are superior. Do not repay anyone evil for evil. Be careful to do what is right in the eyes of everyone. If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone… Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.”

In his Sermon on the Mount, Jesus underscores the beautiful attitudes of being poor in spirit, meek, hungering and thirsting for righteousness, being merciful, pure in heart, and peacemakers. We hope and pray that our politicians heed and practice these teachings of the Lord.

Let us encourage our people to be vigilant and wise in electing the best candidates who will do their best for our country. Let’s vote for politicians who possess the 7M’s: Makadiyos, Mabait, Matalino, Masipag, Matiyaga, Magaling at Mapagkakatiwalaan.

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