“The things that will destroy us are: politics without principle; pleasure without conscience; wealth without work; knowledge without character;
business without morality; science without humanity; and worship without
sacrifice.”
—Mahatma Gandhi
Reformation is rarely celebrated until long after the battle has ended.
Our City’s namesake, Charles Borromeo was a Church reformer who stood up against corruption that he saw in the Church around him. Martin Luther’s protests even split the Church and his “protesters” would eventually become today’s Protestants. Luther’s protests helped give rise to other movements within the Church and today Christians around the globe follow their faith based upon their understanding of the Gospel.
When Christ entered into the temple and saw corruption, he upturned the tables or benches where money was being exchanged! His protest was in both word and deed! Christ did not try and just “get along” but stood up for change, honesty, social justice, and reform.
Of course, Christ stood to reform all of mankind and we hold Him up as our example of how we can reform ourselves and the world around us.
His examples lead Christians to strive towards a world where Love conquers hate. Much goes along with this including: striving for honesty, standing up for social justice, and engaging wrongdoing.
Sometimes such battles may even appear to be hateful but do not confuse hatred with anger. Christ was angry enough to over turn the tables in the temple but did so without hatred.
Consider the quote by Bede Jarrett from, The House of Gold:
“The world needs anger. The world often continues to allow evil because it isn’t angry enough.”
Sometimes during council meetings I become angry but I can assure you that I do not hate anyone with whom I deal. I do not wish anyone ill will, I don’t send hate mail, make hate telephone calls, etc. It would be terribly exhausting to harbor and live with such hatred. Instead, I become angry and take those steps entrusted me to correct those things I see as wrong. Obviously, striving for better city government is not the most earth shaking undertaking a soul can set out to do, but remember the parable of the mustard seed! Most likely, Congressmen in the hot seat today didn’t start out by accepting a million dollar yacht, but with something far more innocuous, something small — like a mustard seed.
Let me provide you with an example of something that angers me, but does not cause me to hatred. At last January 10th’s work session I placed on the agenda an item regarding updating of software sorely needed by code enforcement to make them more efficient. This matter goes back more than six months. Councilwoman Greer and I met with Community Development staff to see what we could do to help make their work more expeditious because one of the main complaints we have as council members is the time it takes to enforce city codes. Staff recommended software that they liked and felt was user-friendly. Mrs. Greer and I met with the software provider for a presentation and committee recommended we make the move to update software that is currently antiquated to say the least.
Some time later, administrator, Allan Williams sent us some paperwork related to the company of choice’s financial stability. He then makes mention of software he liked. Better would have been to bring this up in Technology Committee and allow department input and frankly, maybe even a chance for the company to answer questions our city may have had. Heck, I would have even been content with some immediate action to improve software with the firm of William’s choice - anything to help stop the need for citizens to call three - nine - twelve times about the same code violations!
Instead, what we got was, seven months later an administrator who has taken no action to improve this critical role of municipal government; staff who still cannot do their reports in the field; a system that takes forty minutes to make one report; a system where citizens still have to call city hall to get a progress report on their complaint rather than have the ability to follow the progress online.
So ask your council member if he or she is trying to improve city hall or improve his or her own lot. Ask your local newspapers whether they are complicit with, or strive against wrongdoing. It is fitting in a town named after a saint who fought for reformation that each of us take on the role of Charles Borromeo!
