“A strong city have we; he sets up walls and ramparts to protect us. Open up the gates to let in a nation that is just, one that keeps faith." Isa 26:1
One of the most difficult challenges of contemporary life is transparency in our public lives. Though everyone calls for it in politics, religion, and business, there seems to be little willingness to act. In recent years, however, many bishops, to the consternation of some, have published complete financial reports on their websites. Anyone wanting to know how much money a Diocese or Archdiocese received and how much it spent only needs an internet connection to find out. In my view, this is not only laudable but necessary.
Unfortunately, however, because our society has become so litigious, we have also learned a kind of political correctness that does not serve our institutions or our personal lives very well. People are afraid to be transparent for fear it will be held against them. The result, of course, is that everyone walks around looking over their shoulders and the power of the Gospel gets lost in a sometimes disingenuous flood of words.
Advent is a good time to begin again. Transparency is a key to honest government and Gospel living.
Today, pray for honesty in our personal and public lives.
Who has helped you take a step forward in living a Gospel life without guile?
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