POLITICS OF CHANGE AND MEANINGFUL ELECTIONS
To The Discerning Voter :
We are called to task by our faith to consistently persevere and respond prophetically to the challenges of the day. As a response to the forthcoming Elections 2016 this article is shared for the proper information and guidance of all and sundry.
This article consist of two major parts:
1) a biblico-theological reflection; and
2) a guide for politics of change and meaningful elections.
Please feel free to read this article and to circulate it widely among your family, friends and neighbors. We sincerely hope that this article will be of help. Edited from the National Council of Churches in the Philippines.
The elections many not bring about the desired CHANGES because it is still a contest of primarily of the elite. What is important is that in season or out of season, the people’s journey towards SHALOM must continue. Prayerfully and unafraid, let us denounce the evils in our society and announce God’s good news of TRANSFORMATION!
*** SERVE, LOVE, UPHOLD: A Biblico-theological Reflection on Elections ***
It is certain that in our churches, we pray for ur local and national officials:
to be always mindful of their calling to serve;
that they may love the truth; and
that they may uphold justice and peace.
The calling to serve, to love truth and uphold justice and peace are resounding themes of the Christian faith especially with regard to those who are elected in office. These are also the meaning of the pledge in baptism when we are asked to promise that we will respect the dignity of all human beings at all times. Hence, the Voter’s Guide of the NCCP considers these important for all voters to reflect upon each time there is an election. The Voter’s Guide is a call for responsible citizenship especially at a crucial time when each and every qualified Filipino exercises the right to choose their leaders. Within Christian praxis, voting is not only a right but an exercise of one’s prophetic responsibility as a Christian.
In an ideal situation, THE CALL TO SERVE THE PEOPLE IS A MANDATE of every candidate who wins in an election. It also gives the winning candidates the authority and power to live out that service by putting the interest of the majority at the center of his duty. We say ideal candidates do not use so called- GUNS, GOONS, and GOLD and other forms of deception to ensure their victory.
In the Old Testament JUSTICE AND PEACE, RIGHTEOUSNESS AND SERVICE ARE NOT SEPARATE ELEMENTS OF A LEADER’S VOCATION.
From the beginning, God calls leaders to ‘SET MY PEOPLE FREE’ from all bonds of enslavement. It is God’s will that all people lead abundant lives in order that they can ‘WORSHIP IN SPIRIT AND IN TRUTH.’ This is the covenant between God who calls and those chosen. It is when the chosen leaders betray this covenant that the anointment is withdrawn. In some cases, the rulers repent of their actions. But their repentance not necessarily mean they will continue in office. God make the CHANGES not only because God’s will has been violated by the one who was anointed but also because of the GREATER INTEREST OF THE PEOPLE whom God calls his own people. In some cases, the rulers refuse to recant and they perish in process they would never imagine to be their end. This is the reason why we say the position seeks out the person through the collective discernment of the people in a community for their common good. This is also the reason why the prophetic ministry of Christians is important. This ministry tells leaders and rulers that when they betray the trust of the electorate the people suffer. Election is an opportune time to convey this to candidates.
In our country the pursuit of justice and peace, good governance and service-oriented leadership can be brought about through the understanding of the use of authority and power. AUTHORITY is generally a positive value because it ASKS FOR OBEDIENCE WITHOUT USING FORCE AND COERCION, while POWER is generally associated with the use of force and fear factor. Such qualitative change in the use of power can come out largely through vigilant communities that work together.
When Jesus told James and John “You do not know what you are asking for” ( Mark 10:35-45), Jesus was stating a definition of the right use of power. It is not like the way the Gentiles do it, referring to the pagans. Jesus was giving a NEW UNDERSTANDING OF POWER IN TERMS OF SERVANT-POWER. “ BUT WHO EVER WOULD BE GREAT AMONG YOU MUST BE YOUR SERVANT “. (v.43) and goes further to say that “ WHO EVER WOULD BE FIRST AMONG YOU MUST BE SLAVE OF ALL”. (v.44) To Jesus, servant –power does not play favorites. Power, like electricity is to be used for the interest of all.
SERVANT POWER NEITHER SEEKS TO DOMINATE NOR MANIPULATE others, by plotting to pit one group against another if only to remain in power. The life and teachings of Jesus shows us a good example of the ends of power. Primarily, power is shared. He taught His disciples to share whatever power they have been given out of obedience to Christ. In the life of the early Church, recorded in the three chapters from the book of Acts, it was through the exercise of shared power that the problems of the people were resolved. If Peter usurped his being first among equals it could have led to disastrous ends as it usually does with authoritarianism.
Secondly, POWER IS INCLUSIVE. The problems of our nation today are also due to the fact that many people are marginalized. They are excluded from decision-making on matters that concern them most. Resources are controlled by the few, opportunities are only for those who have influence or connections, and democracy is defined by those in power.
Thirdly, POWER COMES WITH ACCOUNTABILITY to those whom it is entrusted.
Can these principles set forth by Jesus be turned into reality in our country where the story of elections has been under the control of the elites and the abuse of power can be traced from the beginning?
The answer is YES. Even now , there are communities who have succeeded. Even now, there are young people, women, and men who are willing to work to bring about GENUINE CHANGE. Even now, there are people who HOPE AND PRAY FOR A BETTER PHILIPPINES AND COOPERATE WITH GOD, USING THEIR TALENTS AND SKILLS TO KEEP THIS HOPE ALIVE AND MAKE THAT PRAYER WITHIN OUR REACH.
“For freedom CHRIST has set us free; stand fast therefore, and do not submit again to a yoke of slavery. “ (Galatians 5:1)
