THROUGH UNTRUE

As election time approaches, political rivals get busy throwing mud at each other. They dig through each other’s pasts, hoping to uncover hidden dirt. Since they do not remember everything they’ve said or done, there will always be something their opponents can twist to damage their reputation. Also, voters delight more in hearing flaws and indiscretions than political platforms or achievements. 

One needs to have thick skin to bear the malicious defamation by their rivals. In the United States, Trump calls Biden “sleepy Joe,” “a puppet of the radical left,” “dumb,” and “a man who is not all there.”  Not to be outdone, Biden has an arsenal of derogatory terms for Trump, like “clown,” “liar,” “racist,” “the worst president the US ever had,” and “Putin's puppet.”  

Politicians in the Philippines also engage in mudslinging. They take turns hurling invectives at one another, like “mandarambong” (plunderer), “bobo” (stupid), “babaero” (womanizer), “addict,” “sugarol” (gambler), “serial killer,” etc. They also raise allegations of wrongdoings, scandalous affairs, corruption, and bribery. Television, the internet, and social media platforms exacerbate the circus by creating echo chambers that rapidly spread and reinforce rumors and accusations.

Is there no way for current and aspiring politicians to rise above this rampant practice of maliciously discrediting opponents and swaying public opinion to one’s advantage? This pernicious practice has somehow eroded political civility and public trust. It fosters a toxic social environment, where political discourse is driven by personal attacks rather than substantive debate on issues and principles. 

This is perhaps why many voters have been disillusioned with elections, and refuse to exercise their right to vote. One friend remarked: “With the smear campaigns staged by politicians against one another, it seems that my choices are limited to those who should not win!” Another voter lamented: “The ones running for office are either scions of political dynasties or proxies of business and media conglomerates, landlords, capitalists, interest groups, foreign investors or multinationals. How can we expect transparency and integrity from them?”

Today’s gospel reading gives relevant advice on how to avoid sinking into the quagmire of mudslinging. It can be summarized this way: “Live in such a way that if someone spoke badly of you, no one would believe it.” 

Jesus sent His first disciples to undertake the difficult mission of proclaiming the Good News. To succeed, He asks them to use this strategy: Travel light.  He said: “Take nothing for the journey — no bread, no bag, no money, no extra shirt — except a walking stick and sandals” (Mark 6:8-9).  The disciples must have initially regarded such a strategy as impractical. But the fact that Christianity flourishes today proves its effectiveness.  

Traveling light reminds the disciples that the success of their mission is not grounded in worldly resources but in their integrity and in their faith in God's providence. The success of their proclamation hinges on their credibility and transparency. They must personify the dictum in advertising: “The medium is the message.” 

Bringing nothing extra or superfluous makes the disciples' message more compelling because it strips away the clutter that may obscure or falsify it. Possessions and material wealth do not make us transparent. They hide, not reveal, our authentic selves. 

The gospel encourages politicians to live a life of simplicity and integrity as the best way to deflect malicious criticisms. A person who consistently adheres to ethical principles, projects a transparent personality that makes him credible. This transparency is a shield that belies the malicious claims of even the most rabid mudslinger.