“Come and See.”

Some years ago, a young English trainee journalist was invited to have the experience of going on the campaign of an American Presidential candidate. Like most trainee journalists, he had little respect for politicians. He saw them as vain, boastful, proud men ­ and women, with few principles - sometimes corrupt, often complaisant, always deceitful. But he thought it would be good experience anyway, so he went. And, straightaway, his prejudices were confirmed. At every stop, every pause, even the slightest opportunity, the Candidate would rush around shaking hands, kissing babies, making grandiose speeches condemning his opponent with childish names and making unrealistic promises.

But, after about a month, he said, something suddenly clicked and he saw the whole thing in a new way. The Candidate and his Team were quite genuine in their belief that the country needed the kind of government they wanted to offer. They were genuine in their commitment to the good of the Nation. They even had respect for their opponent and knew that he too was genuinely doing his best for the country according to his own beliefs. And he saw no corruption whatever ­ everyone from the Candidate, through the advisors, the canvassers and the countless other party workers could have earned more money, worked shorter hours, had more sleep and lower blood pressures by doing other things. Genuinely, each and every one of them was working for the good of the Nation according to his own lights. Eventually, three days before the Election, everyone from the Candidate downwards realised that he was going to lose. And the cynical political reporter found himself weeping like a child for the first time in fifteen years.

We too live in cynical times ­ almost as cynical as first century Palestine, when as far as we can gather almost all the public institutions were appallingly corrupt by any reasonable standard. And the motives we are willing to ascribe to other people actually tell us much more about the motives that are operating inside ourselves. And the only cure for cynicism is the deep personal encounter with the goodness of God manifest in Christ Jesus. “Come and See.”

Let us stand and profess our Faith in God from whom all Good things come.

Mount Street Jesuit Centre,
114 Mount Street,
London SW1K 3AH.
ENGLAND.
fatbaldnproud@yahoo.co.uk