‘Vox populi vox Dei’

3.4.16:

‘Vox populi vox Dei’:

The above phrase in Latin means ‘voice of people is the voice of God’. In Tamil it is: ‘மக்கள் குரலே மஹேசன் குரல்’. After the idea of God became vogue among people and religions began to monopolize that concept the most intelligent and powerful among them wanted to act and talk like God and decided matters on His behalf. People rebelled against this quite often. One such rebellion is narrated in the I Samuel 8 and God seemed to concede to people’s demand saying: ‘…Hearken to the voice of the people in all that they say to you…’ (I Sam 8:7).

This is the tradition all along. In the Acts of the Apostles, when it was felt that the place of the traitor Judas needs to be filled, it was suggested: ‘…one of the men who have accompanied us during all the time that the Lord Jesus went in and out among us… one of these men must become with us a witness to his resurrection… they put forward two… prayed… cast lots for them…’ 1:15-26.

Also, when the need arose to regularize the ‘daily distribution’ by ensuring the support of others, ‘the twelve summoned the body of the disciples and said, “… pick out from among you seven men of good repute… whom we may appoint to this duty.’ 6:1-3.

Even to this day, it is followed in the election of the Pope and bishops in the Eastern Churches too. Then why at all, it is not followed among us? Why at all one person decide for all of us when we can discern the best among us to counsel us, comfort us, challenge us, guide us, inspire us and lead us etc.

Evaluation, a must after 26 years in office…