“Prepare a way for the Lord”.

A little while ago, I was reading a very heavy and serious theology journal called “The Way”. I just want you all to know that from time to time I read such things. And in it there was a story about a man called Mark who had worked for the election of Robert Kennedy as President of the United States. He had been a young man with rather little religion, spirituality or much else in his life beyond a firm desire to make as much money as he could and live as pleasant a life as possible ­ until he met Robert Kennedy. And when he met him, he was INSPIRED ­ by the man’s tremendous example of personal integrity and justice. Here, Mark felt, was somebody for whom he could work ­ somebody in whom he could believe. Kennedy showed a genuine concern for the poor and marginalised in the USA. He genuinely wanted to do something that would improve the lot of those very many extremely poor and suffering people in America ­ especially members of the ethnic minorities ­ and building bridges across the great racial chasms that divide America and many other countries.

Mark believed that if such a man could be elected to the most powerful position in the World, great things could be done to make America ­ and the entire world ­ a better place. He worked like he has never worked before or since ­ sure in the knowledge that he was participating ­ not in bringing the Kingdom of God on earth (at that time he was not yet a Christian) ­ but he was taking a small part in a great endeavour to make political changes which would have important positive consequences for a lot of people. It was his chance to make a small contribution to an enormously valuable enterprise that was going to MAKE A DIFFERENCE.

Well, we all know what happened next. Bobby Kennedy was assassinated ­ just like his brother ­ and the whole project of the New Democrat movement died with him. {Not everyone may agree with this!} For Mark, it was a shocking experience that faith in human beings does not change the world ­ that all human beings are mortal and fallible and it is truly in Christ alone that we ultimately can put our trust.

Eventually all national leaders in whatever country are simply politicians - human beings with all their weaknesses and their faults. Even Bobby Kennedy ­ a faithful Catholic who gave his life to turning his religious faith into political action ­ must be judged a failure.

We are called this Advent to put our trust in something greater - the Kingdom of God ­ and we are called to work for a movement which really can change this country ­ and this world - for the better. We are called to Prepare a way for the Lord in our World ­ to make straight his Paths ­ and to make this country and the entire world fit to receive its Saviour.

Let us stand and profess our Faith in God who inspires us to prepare Our World for His coming.

Mount Street Jesuit Centre,
114 Mount Street,
London SW1K 3AH.
ENGLAND.
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