There is a powerful thought in this morning's Gospel reading which has a special impact for us today.
It is that of trustworthiness. The landowner, commended by Jesus, was a man of his word. He made a deal. He stood by the deal, even in the face of opposition.

To some people today trust and integrity are treated as attractive but optional extras; something to talk about in churches but not essential in the real world.

That is until you recall recent events, such as the collapse of Enron or World Com, or other financial disasters, where the basic issue appears to have been that key people did not uphold the trust placed in them.

Trust is not an Optional Extra in any Walk of Life

While the personal consequences, for at least some of them, are both serious and tragic, for countless others they are disastrous. Lost jobs, weakened pension funds. And most significantly world business confidence shaken to the foundations. Why? Because a small number of individuals and companies were perceived to be untrustworthy, dishonest, lacking in integrity. So we are reminded that trust is not an optional extra in any walk of life. It is an essential ingredient of best practice underlined in today's Gospel.

Ireland has had its problems in this respect. Inquiries, tribunals and court proceedings have raised doubts about planning procedures, about the banking and accountancy professions, the churches, the police, the judiciary and politicians. While the vast majority of people in these areas of life are honest and hardworking and totally trustworthy there has been enough doubt in people's minds to create an unhealthy cynicism.

Credibility of Politicians Damaged following the General Election

This has been aggravated by the feeling many have about the last election. Whatever the politicians may say about their election manifestoes and the small print, the impression was given that all was well and would continue to be well, despite the well documented and stated views of many experts to the contrary. It is difficult to recall any politician, who specifically mentioned the situation we are now facing of budget cuts/adjustments and job losses even when challenged.

The damage to the credibility of the political establishment is real as the cynicism of people at large deepens and that is serious. For example, when it comes to the Nice Treaty referendum is there not a real danger that a very important decision, affecting not only the future of Ireland but of Europe, might well be influenced by the fact that enough people no longer believe what politicians tell them.

What are our Priorities?

This week Cardinal Connell appealed to the Government not to hurt the poor. He was speaking on an inner city stage where what was preached was also practised. Here was recognition from people, who know that when budgets are trimmed or restricted, the poor and the vulnerable will feel the pain more than anyone else. This is inevitable when health, education and Third World relief are prime targets. While all this was going on the big issue, that seemed to attract and even entertain, was where money could be found to build a football stadium. This is not to question the value of sport but to raise the issue of our priorities.

Honesty and Integrity are Essential

As a people and as churches, we need to create a new climate in Ireland where the values we claim to hold are given real place in the way we conduct our affairs. Honesty and integrity are essentials in the foundations of any stable society and they have been too easily compromised in recent years. The good people in politics and other areas of national life, who put country first, can put that to right by their words and deeds but they must be seen and heard.

They need the support and commitment of the wider community because it is sometimes said that if politicians tell the truth they won t get elected. If this is true then it raises serious questions about the values that we as citizens hold. Can it be that in a country, that so loudly proclaims its religious and Christian character, that we put our own interest above everything and everyone else, when it comes to the world of business and politics? We say we are our brother's or our sister's keeper but only in church so that when it comes to paying taxes or sharing the burden in some practical way, we insist the responsibility belongs to someone else.

Much easier to offer empty words of sympathy when it is too late and, of course, blame someone else. It can make us feel good but it does not make us good. There are no shortcuts when it comes to the real thing.