Dear All,

Parts of the Today programme on Radio 4 came from South Africa this morning (nice work for some!): John Humphreys was interviewing guests about the forthcoming elections in the Rainbow Nation and the difficulties that surround the ruling ANC party candidate for the Presidency. Archbishop Tutu's unmistakeable voice was the one I first recognised as the radio alarm woke me and pulled my thoughts into the discussion: 'Are you not disappointed at the way things have turned out?' was the gist of one of the questions.

It is, of course, some years now since the heady days of the fall of the apartheid government in South Africa. Nelson Mandela has worn the Springboks' jersey with pride on many occasions, the Truth and Reconciliation Commission has done its work and the ordinary day to day grind of life and politics has taken over from the excitement of the new nation's early years. But not all has gone well. South Africa has large problems with violent crime; the government was for some years in denial over the AIDS crisis affecting many of its citizens; there has been a lack of leadership over the problems of Zimbabwe and South Africa's role in helping to initiate change in that troubled land and we  now learn that the smell of corruption hangs over some of the nation's highest officials.

Is this the way things go: great enthusiasm and high ideals slowly but surely being dragged down into squabbles in the dirt? Is it at all possible for a government to 'renew' itself? On a personal level is it possible to 'live in the world but not be part of it'? How do we deal with the failure of our hopes and ideals as 'Easter People'? Do we have to learn to make do with 'second best' sometimes? Politically, how can we live with the compromises that true democracy forces upon us? These are questions for Christians to ponder, for our expectations of ourselves and others are truly sky high yet we also know full well that we fall from grace so easily.

Which perhaps is where the ministry of the Holy Spirit comes in. 'The Spirit,' (says Jesus), 'will lead us to all Truth': a precondition of a new start in any walk of life is facing up to the truth about ourselves and our situation. But the Spirit also makes real to us Jesus' forgiveness (see John 20.22-23): truth alone is not enough for individuals and governments - it is forgiveness that sets us free from the past and enables us to 'move on' positively. And finally, the Spirit's greatest gift is that of love (1 Corinthians 13).

Maybe there is hope for us all. Come Holy Spirit.

Alec