God comes to transform our lives
By Msgr. John Wynand Katende
Posted on: Friday, 12 December 2025
“Make your hearts firm, because the coming of the Lord is at hand.”- Isaiah 35:1-10.
The general message of Advent is that God is present among us, in our everyday lives. He invites us to sincerely open our hearts and let Him transform our lives.
Matthew 3:5–6 gives an account of many Israelites who had gone to see John the Baptist in the wilderness during his preaching and baptizing ministry. That number undoubtedly included many who now followed Jesus, since John pointed to Him as the Messiah. Jesus asks those gathered if they went into the wilderness to see "a reed shaken by the wind." The assumed answer to Jesus' question is "no."
Although stronger ones were sometimes used for light walking canes, often the Bible speaks of a reed as symbolic of the frailty of our human condition. “A reed shaken with the wind” in Bible language means a person blown about by every wind of doctrine. The people didn't go into the wilderness to see something weak, or common, or mundane.
Jesus defends John the Baptist for his strength and for fulfilling his mission. He knew that a reed trembling in the wind was the very opposite of John's character. John could not be moved by flattery, nor be deceived by prevailing errors. Neither could he be turned aside from the work he came to do, by rewards, or worldly honors. He would preserve his integrity at the expense of his life.
This brings into focus the current process of electing new political leaders, in Uganda. Voting is considered a civic and moral duty for Christians. It enables good people emerge as leaders who will be duly accountable to the electorate and deliver services in governing. On the one hand it challenges politicians to practice what they preach, on the other hand it challenges the electorate to be principled, like John the Baptist.
Religion has been claimed to be "the source of some of the most remarkable political mobilizations of our times". Beyond universalist ideologies, religions have also been involved in nationalist politics. Various political doctrines have been directly influenced or inspired by religions.
People with religious convictions, definitely, have a place in politics. They are bent on what constitutes a good society and a good human life. They hold these views strongly enough to associate with others in realizing them. “A good Catholic meddles in politics, offering the best of himself, so that those who govern can govern.” said Pope Francis on 16th July 2019.
Conscience, as explained in the Catechism of the Catholic Church, is the point of judgment where a person recognizes the moral quality of a particular act. Formed according to God’s revelation and the teachings of the Church, conscience helps a person discern how to act in accordance with the truth.
Deliberate manipulation of election outcomes is widely considered a violation of the principles of democracy. Pathetically, in Uganda, violence and voter bribing have led to the rise of incapable leaders and made the costs of organizing the elections very expensive. This abnormally distorts the democratic process in the country and undermines the free choice of voters.
In the long run, many constituencies experience a change in Members of Parliament (MPs) every term, due to the inability of elected legislators to effectively represent their constituents. Legislators often spend much of their time recovering campaign expenses. They end up working for their stomachs and families.
Patronage is another issues that compromises good leadership. Patronage is described as a system of power relationships where individuals in positions of authority or influence provide favors, jobs, or other benefits to supporters or associates in exchange for loyalty, political support, or personal gain.
Social scientists say that competitive elections prompt candidates to distribute handouts - primarily cash and other inducements to voters are also widely thought to influence the voting choices of the poorest and most vulnerable voters. Poor voters appreciate wealthy or generous candidates. This is said to be one main reason that politics has become fiercely competitive.
The Church will not tell individuals to elect a certain presidential candidate. Such decisions are to be made after forming one’s conscience based on the teachings of the Church, endowed upon her by Christ, and after prayerful reflection of candidate positions. Ephesians 4:14 gives a good conclusion to this reflection that we “henceforth be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive.”