On December 23, 1971, then President Richard Nixon declared “War on Cancer.” By signing into law the National Cancer Act, he apparently had confidence that cancer would be conquered in five years and hoped that this would be the landmark legislation of his administration. The National Cancer Act represented a critical turning point in cancer research as well as treatment. As a result of bipartisan enthusiasm in the US Congress for eradicating cancer, there was a remarkable increase in the budget of the National Cancer Institute, and huge strides were made in research to reduce the incidence, morbidity and mortality from cancer.

Well unfortunately, cancer wasn’t conquered in five years. Here we are over fifty years later, and as it turns out, there doesn’t seem to be a magic bullet to kill cancer.  The solution appears to lie in a balance of prevention and treatment. And so, in the ongoing war on cancer, it will be necessary for those in government to recommit themselves to the much less sexy, but just as important work of providing resources for the prevention of cancer rather than some universal cure. 

Complex challenges are like that: they often must be managed rather than solved. It’s most often a hard slog requiring patience, humility, perseverance, and cooperation. Most of the time, solutions to complex challenges are not fully realized under any one political administration. It often takes a decade or more for solutions to take effect. 

The story of the War on Cancer is but one of many examples of good government.  Elected officials identifying a challenge affecting folks, seeking understanding of the issues at stake, working together for solutions, compromising when necessary, and then taking action.  Good government: it can happen. It has happened. We have seen it. We have been beneficiaries of it.

In these days of heightened emotions regarding our national and even local politics, it’s tempting to just give up, check out, let the chips fall where they may. But on those days when I’m feeling like that, I recall stories like the War on Cancer whereby elected officials actually came together to do something good that none of us could do on our own. I remind myself that nearly all of us love this country and want the best for it and for those who live here. I take stock in the hope that most of our citizens understand that the United States has a unique place in the world as a beacon of freedom and liberty for all people.

As people of the Way of Jesus, you and I are called to be agents of grace and reconciliation.  We are to live our lives for the sake of the world, or, as the apostle Paul states it, as “living sacrifices.” One way we accomplish this is by doing our part to ensure that our government functions well. We vote; we hold our elected officials accountable; we tell stories of good government; we get involved. Being a good citizen really can and is an act of faith.

And so, as hard as it may be some days, I exhort you, my friends, not to give up.  As Christians, may we refrain from reducing our politics to good guys and bad guys.  May we be ones who vote, who write our elected leaders, and who tell stories of good government.  May we be ones who joyfully recount those times when elected officials worked together to address immense challenges.  May we be ones who give hope to those who may have given up on government and are sitting on the sidelines. The challenges facing our world are immense, and we need a return to good government where elected officials work patiently and cooperatively.  May we hold them to account, but may we do our part as well. 

~ Father Art