15 December.  Good Governance.   King David. How do people regard kings and other leaders in our day?  There are far  less “royal families” and far more elected leaders. Which is the best model is a topic often debated which remains unresolved.   Are the kings and queens in royal families more moral, more committed and more concerned for the welfare of their subjects?  This can be so, but is not always the case. Similarly, many elected leaders today operate from self-interest and do not appear to have the welfare of all their people as their priority. Elections are manipulated and some hold on to power beyond their term of office. Power struggles have been a feature of leadership from time immemorial and leaders have been more or less just. At present there are increasing examples of autocratic rulers and a decrease in democracy, which has been championed for some time.  Should people not have learned from the history as portrayed in the bible, after King David, who ruled for 30 years, and in spite of some faults was still regarded as Israel’s greatest king.  The Messiah who would liberate and save the people was expected to come from his descendants. However after David, even his son Solomon and many others became corrupt and the country and its people suffered many disasters. Jesus’ mission was to speak out against injustice and bring about another type of kingdom, his Father’s kingdom of love, justice, truth, peace and freedom. Where are we in the 21st century on those qualities of God’s kingdom? What action is being taken across the world for just and honest government and who should take responsibility if not we ourselves?   

Reflect, share, scripture:   The chief priests tested Jesus and asked, “by whose authority do you teach.” Jesus answered them, “I will ask you a question?” They replied to his question, “we do not know.” Jesus told them, “Neither will I tell you by whose authority I do these things.”  Mat 21:23-27.   Pope Francis:  We lack leadership capable of striking out on new paths and meeting the needs of the present with concern for all and without prejudice towards coming generations. LS 53.  Jubilee: The Jubilee can serve as an important occasion for giving concrete expression to the form of synodality, which the Christian community today considers increasingly necessary for responding to the urgent need for evangelization. All the baptized, with their respective charisms and ministries, are co-responsible for ensuring that manifold signs of hope bear witness to God’s presence in the world. SNC 17. Act and Pray for a changing world leadership, a servant leadership following in the way of Jesus.