This post is part of Ethika Politika's ongoing post-mortem on the 2012 elections, Lux Mundi. For more contributions please click here.


You cannot pass. I am a servant of the Secret Fire, wielder of the flame of Anor. You cannot pass. The dark fire will not avail you, flame of Udun. Go back to the shadow! You cannot pass.

Gandalf thought the easiest path was across the mountain. Direct, overland, with the full force of a conquered mountain like a swift wind at your back. The path was perilous, however, full of death edged cliffs and inhospitable elements. And the destructive echo of the White Wizard. But the mountain path was easy for it avoided Gandalf's greatest fear: the evil Balrog awaiting him in the Mines of Moria.

GandaIf did not want to face the Balrog. The creature was fearsome. And he was powerful. The Grey Wizard knew that only in facing his one true fear could he slay his enemy. And in that way he could gain passage for his friends. It was not the path Gandalf wanted to take, but it was the path that would precisely test both his skill and his faith. It would require him to meet an uncertain fate for himself, but one that potentially would be life for his friends. And it was the only way to keep  the journey onward.

When the way is shut, we ought never despair, especially people of faith. A path that doesn't open is nothing more than a way that we ought not take. The peril of the mountain path was obvious to all, even to the wise Gandalf. But in all his wisdom, he could not see that the path he had to take was the one of Moria, the one he did not want to take.

Today as men and women of faith gathered to evaluate candidates and campaigns, remember defeat is only an indication that the way is merely shut. The path that we might have preferred for our righteous cause is not the path we ought to take. The way is shut.  But this is not a reason either for dispondency or for fear.

When the way is shut, we are faced with a true moment of joy. For the path before us is clear. It may take us a way where we are required to confront some of our greatest fears. We might have to walk further, climb higher and endure more than the other way would require us. Be not afraid. The end of the journey remains the same.

And that is always a cause of hope, especially when we are traveling with our fellow believers. Our hope is never in powers and principalities. Our hope lies beyond. And it is not crushed by our fears. Our hope rather shines because of it, because it is from a light greater than the fear. And remember, as a people of faith, we are called to be the Light of the World. We are not called to success or triumph, but rather to fidelity. We are already the Light of the World. How can that be anything but a cause for joy?

So when you see the way is shut, rejoice! For your hope lies in the journey where the road goes ever on and on.

This post is part of Ethika Politika's ongoing post-mortem on the 2012 elections, Lux Mundi. For more contributions please click here.

Mattias A. Caro is the Executive Editor of Ethika Politika.