As intelligent beings, we exist for a purpose, each having a personal destiny. Our lives, therefore, must be governed by moral principles. As Christians who have committed our lives to Jesus, we have taken upon ourselves the added responsibility of not living according to human values or personal interest, but to embrace the model that Jesus set forth for us, a model which is far above what is merely human, a way that he expressed when he said, “Come, follow me, for I am the way, the truth, and the Light.” As his followers every aspect of our life should be guided by his teachings, and no aspect of our life is exempt from those principles. Our actions, public and private, even our thought life, and the voluntary desires of our hearts, must be modeled after the beauty of Jesus’ life, his thoughts and his feelings towards God, towards people and towards all God’s creation. This is not easy, and progress in following Jesus’ example will always be painstakingly slow and faltering, as we have committed ourselves to follow a way of life that is often contrary to human inclinations, as well as contrary to human values. But, success in following Jesus is not measured by perfect adherence, but by endless struggle, in spite of continual failings.
Since our commitment to Jesus encompasses not just our own personal life, but our social life, and our public life, we have a responsibility to develop for ourselves a system of values compatible with our fidelity to Jesus’ teachings. This applies also to the political world, since for Christians, Jesus’ principles must translate into their political philosophy as well, if their Christian committment is to be authentic. This leads logically to a Christian Political Manifesto, which will be tomorrow’s message.
