deficit

Politicians are feeling about for a formula that may restore moral values and economic hope to the nation. We should not distinguish between these two ambitions: they are firmly linked, and depend together. Our leaders speak of the big society and now 'responsible capitalism', and nobody is sure what they mean. Jesus Christ does not speak in riddles; we all know what he means when he speaks about loving our neighbour and behaving responsibly. The University of Essex has produced a report which talks about a boom in dishonesty, and a nation heading for an 'integrity crisis'. As if we didn't know ! If there is to be hope for the nation it will not be through the pronouncements of politicians grimly tackling our immense 'trillion pound deficit'. There is a far greater deficit: of love, integrity, and faith. The transformation we all hope for will not begin in stately halls at Westminster or even Brussels. It will begin at ground level in the thousands of little cells of love which we call churches. To say 'Jesus is Lord' is not a bland religious motto: it is the most powerful political manifesto we can sign and promote.