Jesus himself was what we would now call 'a political animal'; he hated the hypocrisy of the pharisees and the tyranny of the Romans but he also recognised the complexities of life. He was realistic about the degree of change that could be exercised (Jesus said 'the poor will always be with us') and accepted the authority of government ('Render unto Ceaser that which is Ceaser's'). These are complex issues which still effect us all and we must address them with maturity and honesty. One thing is sure about Jesus (and this is something which in our hearts we all instinctively recognise) and that is that we canŐt afford to stand by and let the world wash over us, we can't afford to just let 'things happen' to us, we must be engaged in the world and act as agents for good wherever we can.

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