Feast of Saint James, Apostle

Lectionary: 605

You know that the rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and the great ones make their authority over them felt. But it shall not be so among you. Rather, whoever wishes to be great among you shall be your servant; whoever wishes to be first among you shall be your slave. Just so, the Son of Man did not come to be served but to serve and to give his life as a ransom for many.


This teaching of Jesus is hardly original. The kings of Israel and Judah had always called themselves "shepherds," meaning they would care for God's people. A ruler's duty is to care for their subjects, and to facilitate their life together in whatever form it takes.
The last judge, Samuel, had warned the people against anointing a king; he knew the experience of other nations and that the king would abuse his authority. The Jewish kings, for the most part, did as he expected. As have Christian kings and democratically elected congresspersons, senators, and presidents. "If you can't abuse your authority, what's the point of having it?"
But the word of the Lord stands forever as a challenge and invitation. A democracy can only blame itself for its corrupt leaders. A racist, greedy, and dishonest electorate can only select its own to represent them. You get the leadership you deserve. If many people believe that all politicians are corrupt, they only betray their own corrupt souls. 
My Catholic tradition tells me politics is an honorable and necessary profession. The politician's service is to gather people with differing needs, attitudes, and beliefs into a body politic. Politicians help them make decisions that express the common will and, hopefully, the common good. They should have a special concern for minorities although they are selected by a majority. Pitting one's "base" against others may serve one's ambition but it must lead to violence. That leader's legacy will be contempt.
Democratic self-governance begins with courage and self-discipline. That's why the the founding fathers supported religion in their new country. They didn't care which God is worshipped or how; they believed that any religion would support a civilized nation. 

But those who do not examine their attitudes, words, and deeds in the light of their religious beliefs; who do not clearly discern their own sinful tendencies: must suffer the consequence of corrupt leadership. As will those who lack the courage to confront sinful words and deeds among their fellow citizens.
Democracy is not for cowards; it is not supposed to be simple, easy, secure, or predictable. Those who support demagogues have become frightened of change, their neighbors, and life in general. They would isolate and insulate themselves from the world. They might even lay up weapons as they dread encounters with neighbors and strangers. And when challenged they resort to terror. The United States has a history of terror in the Ku Klux Klan, and it threatens to resurge. 

"With malice toward none, with charity for all, with firmness in the right as God gives us to see the right, let us strive on to finish the work" of governing ourselves.