I wish to briefly address a topic this evening that has become increasingly relevant in our society: the danger of blindly following political candidates and government officials. In a world filled with political polarisation and division, it is crucial for us, as Catholics, to remember that Jesus Christ is our only true King.
In the Gospel of St. Matthew, Jesus said, “Render therefore to Caesar the things that are Caesar’s; and to God, the things that are God’s.” (22:21) Jesus is teaching us about the distinction between our earthly obligations as citizens and our ultimate allegiance to our God. While we are called to be responsible citizens and to be aware of issues in the world and to engage, when necessary, the political process, we must do so with discernment and a deep awareness of our Christian values. First and foremost, we must recognise that no political candidate or government official is infallible or without flaws. They are human beings, like all of us, and are susceptible to error, corruption, and self-interest. When we blindly follow political leaders, we risk placing our trust in fallible individuals and expecting them to fulfil our hopes and dreams. We are cautioned against this in the Bible. “Put not your trust in princes: In the children of men, in whom there is no salvation. His spirit shall go forth, and he shall return into his earth: in that day all their thoughts shall perish” (Psalm 145:2-4, Douay-Rheims)
The political landscape is filled with divisive rhetoric, promises, and ideologies that often lead people away from the teachings of Christ. It is easy to become ensnared in worldly traps, where we are tempted to view our chosen political leaders as saviours or messiahs who will solve all of our problems. This can blind us to the flaws in their policies or character and prevent us from holding them accountable.
On the other hand, Jesus is the only true King, and His kingdom is not of this world (John 18:36). His teachings provide us with the ultimate guide for living a Godly, righteous life. He calls us to love our neighbours as ourselves, to care for the poor and vulnerable, and to seek justice and mercy. These principles should be our compass in the realm of politics. We must also remember that our primary citizenship is in the Kingdom of heaven. While we have a duty to participate in the political process and work for the common good, our ultimate loyalty must be to Almighty God. We should never compromise our faith or moral principles for the sake of political expediency.
In times of uncertainty and division, we should be voices of reason, compassion, and faith. We should engage in political discourse with a genuine commitment to the common good. Let us pray for the wisdom to discern the right path and the courage to follow it, even when it diverges from the prevailing political trends.
While we are called to be responsible citizens, we must be cautious about blindly following political candidates and government officials. Our ultimate allegiance is to Jesus Christ, our only true King. In Him, we find the values and principles that should guide our actions in the political arena. There can never be a human “saviour” that can build a society that reflects Christ’s perfect love, justice, and mercy.
May God bless you +
Fr. Charles