Transparency and accountability

IF we want our life to be good, we need to develop a keen

sense of transparency and accountability. These traits assure us that

we are on the right path. That is to say, we have nothing bad to hide,

and more, we are seeing to it that we are responsible for what God has

given us, making these God-given gifts fruitful and productive.

  

            A good sense of transparency will help us develop and

sustain our integrity in life. It means that everything that we do is

good, that is, morally good. This sense of transparency can only take

root when it is based on our faith in God who sets all the laws in our

life, and therefore, all that is good for us.

  

            Besides, God actually sees everything. Before him, nothing

can be hidden. We therefore have to adapt a lifestyle that would make

us do everything in his presence. In fact, we are not simply meant to

do things in his presence. It is more to do everything for God’s

glory. Thus, when we do things without God in mind, let us be warned

that we are already doing things wrongly.

  

            We should not base our sense of transparency on human,

natural and worldly criteria alone. These latter standards do not

capture all the good that is proper to us. At best, they may just be

silent about the finer nuances and consequences of what is generally

good for us. We have to remember that many mysteries shroud our

understanding of things.

  

            But what is bad is that our human laws and worldly

standards have started to go against God’s will. This, of course, can

be due to our limitations in truly understanding God’s law. But it can

also be due to our sinfulness and malice. Nowadays, I believe it is

the latter that has led us to make laws that are openly against God’s

law.

  

            We can try to do something about this problem by teaching

the children to be transparent always, first to God, then to their

lawful authorities: their parents, teachers, elders, etc. And with the

adults, let us remind them often of the importance and the great many

benefits that a working sense of transparency brings.

  

            The same with the sense of accountability. This has to be

inculcated in the children as early as when they can be understand it.

In the gospel, many are the references that talk about this need for

accountability. One is the parable of the talents where a master gave

his three servants different amounts to do business with while he went

away. (cfr. Mt 25,14-30) The master asked for an accounting when he

returned.

  

            We even have to account for the words we speak, as

attested in this passage of St. Matthew’s gospel: “I tell you, on the

day of judgment people will give account for every careless word they

speak, for by your words you will be justified, and by your words you

will be condemned.” (12,36-37)

  

            St. Paul in his Letter to the Romans also said that “each

of us will give an account of himself to God.” (14,12) And in his

second letter to the Corinthians, he said: “For we must all appear

before the judgment seat of Christ, so that each one may receive what

is due for what he has done in the body, whether good or evil.” (5,10)

  

            We have to prepare for this judgment when we have to give

account of what we have done with what God has given us. Let’s

remember that God has given us everything that is good to us, even the

way to recover our dignity as children of God once we lose it due to

our sins. He has given us life, talents, the theological virtues,

mercy, etc.

             We should be ready to face God to give an accounting of our life with

eagerness, not with fear.