At the inauguration of President Macron of France, it seems appropriate to think briefly of those who labour and travail in what we call "politics". Somebody asked Macron how he could hope to run a country if, as he had admitted at one point, he doesn't love himself. An idiot question, to which, as is his wont, he gave an intelligent and perceptive answer. One shouldn't confuse, he said, self-love and self-esteem. Without self-esteem, self-respect, one can do no great thing. Self-love, though, is a form of narcissism and -- I forget his exact words, but his point was that it prevents one from serving.
Clearly he is not a devout man: his answer, which is a very good one, ignores the love for oneself which the Christian receives through, and because of, being loved by God. Who am I to refuse to love the one whom God loves and for whom his son died? And how can I love my neighbour as myself unless I love myself?
On the other hand, seeing the inauguration reminded me of the burden that political service, and political authority in whatever degree, place upon those who undertake them. And as such, they need our prayers. At the time of the French election, the admirable little daily prayer-book Prions en Eglise printed a prayer for politicians, composed by Fr Laurent Stalla-Bourdillon, the chaplain to the members of the French parliament (he cannot, of course, in France, be Chaplain to the Parliament because the Republic is secular). I found it interesting, and translate it here.
"I thank thee, O Lord, for all them that labour in politics. Through the intercession of Saint Thomas More, I commend to thee most especially our leaders, their families and those who work with them. Deliver them from the daily pressures of media and lobbies, of money and public opinion. May they do thy will with the help of thy Holy Spirit, in their function, their decisions and their commitments, doubting neither themselves nor the gifts thou hast given them. May they attend to the care of all thy Creation, conducting affairs with discernment of truth and justice, respecting all persons as well as the common good. May thy love allow them to love others as themselves; and lastly, may they know thee at their side, and with thee go forward in faith and in courage. Amen."
Such a prayer, were we to incorporate it in our regular prayers, may help to defend us from cynicism, bitterness and hardness of heart when it comes to those we elect and appoint to manage our affairs.
