Private and Public Lives15.04.10
Aired on April 15, 2010
Narration by Ptr. RG Foncardas
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PRIVATE AND PUBLIC LIVES
Anyone following recent news from America may have heard of the number of high public figures ousted from office due to an “indiscretion” in their private lives. Senators, governors, and other public officials find their political careers shattered. There is a particular moral emphasis in the American culture that frowns upon sexual indiscretions.
Sadly, no one in this country has stepped down from office because of sexual sins. Maybe because we are more tolerant of such indiscretions. In a culture that has affinities with the machismo culture in Latin America, having many mistresses or querida is seen as a sign of power. This is unfortunate….because integrity in private life also means integrity in public life. When you lie to your wife, you are also likely to lie to the nation.
Why is this so? If leaders are faithful to their spouses and their families who are closest to them, they are likely to be faithful to the people they are called to serve. If they are transparent and have nothing to hide, chances are they will tend to be transparent also in their dealings with the country. If their personal loyalties are undivided, they may be equally loyal to the public. Having a family life grounded on fidelity and honesty is conducive to an honest and untroubled public performance.
King Solomon was a man of greatness and wisdom. He had competent advisers who helped him govern Israel to its height of greatness as a nation. However, he had many wives and mistresses, as was the practice at that time. His foreign wives led him to worship their gods. This infidelity to the God of Israel resulted in rebellion and the eventual division and fragmentation of his kingdom. Private sins definitely have public consequences. (1 Kings 11)
A prayer from the historic Christian tradition describes God as one “to whom all hearts are open, all desires known, and from whom no secrets are hid.” IF we believe that the Lord is truly ruler over all things, indeed nothing can be concealed. In the same way, as the elections approach, let us stand firm on this principle: Fidelity to what God expects in our private lives has everything to do with what God expects of those who serve in public life. Whether in Church or State affairs, we cannot take a chance on someone whose private indiscretions could lead to public ones. History has taught us that much.