Pope's
prayer intention for July - political responsibility
The prayer intention of Pope Francis for the month of July is
for politics – that political responsibility may be lived at all levels as a
high form of charity. Throughout history people have held a negative view of
politicians. Yet this month’s prayer intention reminds us that the ultimate
goal of politics is justice and charity. Human beings are not isolated
individuals but social beings. And to live in society, individuals have to be
guaranteed security and adequate conditions for a dignified life. As a
result we need laws and legislatures to enact them, officials to enforce the
laws and judges to interpret the laws and settle conflicts. We simply
cannot do without such public servants who are elected by the people to uphold
the common good. But sinners as we are, there is always a tendency to greed,
self-interest and corruption. Electors not always elect honest
politicians who in turn satisfy the interests of their electors rather than the
common good. In his apostolic exhortation “Evangelii Gaudium”, or “the
Joy of the Gospel”, Pope Francis wrote: “Politics, though often
denigrated, remains a lofty vocation and one of the highest forms of charity,
inasmuch as it seeks the common good.” Charity concerns not only how we treat
each individual but the effects our decisions have on our neighbors near and
far. Let us, therefore join Pope Francis in July in praying that our
political leaders may work for the common good of all and especially the most
vulnerable members of society.
Không có nhận xét nào:
Đăng nhận xét