THOUGHT FOR THE DAY - 6 February 2008

The Rt Rev James Jones, Bishop of Liverpool

It was Enoch Powell who said that all political careers end in failure. If that’s true you wonder why anybody ever wants to be a politician! Perhaps they think that they’re going to be the one that breaks the mould. Listening to the rhetoric of America’s aspiring Presidents they clearly hope that theirs is the career that’ll end in success! So last night at the end of Super Tuesday the Vietnam Veteran John McCain surged ahead while Barak Obama and Hilary Clinton still fight on to gain the Democratic prize.

When I was in America a few months ago I went to the Republican convention in Florida where all 9 candidates appeared before a crowd of thousands. Standing on miniature podiums as if on a set for the Weakest Link they were interrogated by Fox TV. Like many observers of American politics I’ve had to revise my opinion and concede that the electorate is being offered a real choice. Although the double headed monster of money and the media dominates the process there’s no doubting that a real political debate is happening and confounding the pollsters.

Super Tuesday falls the day before Ash Wednesday. This marks the beginning of the 40 days Jesus spent in the desert. It’s an omen. Not just because it marks for some candidates their expulsion into the political wilderness but because it was the time that Jesus himself wrestled with the temptations of power.

The Gospels tell us the Devil took Jesus to the top of a very high mountain and showed him all the Kingdoms of the world and their splendour. At that very moment he enticed him with every politician’s dream and whispered ‘All these I will give you’. But the deal would involve Jesus selling his soul to Satan.

This story should be required reading for all remaining Presidential candidates on this Ash Wednesday. The temptation of Christ would remind them to weigh very carefully every pledge of support, every offer of money, and every deal and then slice through all the strings.

Jesus headed off the Devil by refuting the quest for power and instead renewing his pledge to serve. For those of us who name Christ as our example it’s sobering to know that his career ended in crucifixion. From Enoch Powell’s point of view that might look like failure. But the eyes of faith that see the world from the other side where the light is brighter and the sight is sharper know that there are other values by which our life is ultimately judged. True greatness lies in the extent to which we have the courage to live by them in the here and now.