The winner is not necessarily the best, most honest or wisest candidate

Over in the USA, you surely can't help but have noticed the media coverage of the elections through which Donald Trump and Hillary Clinton have become household names in the UK.
The Bishop of Horsham, The Right Reverend Mark Sowerby, SUS-151012-123608001The Bishop of Horsham, The Right Reverend Mark Sowerby, SUS-151012-123608001
The Bishop of Horsham, The Right Reverend Mark Sowerby, SUS-151012-123608001

Each state indicates its preference for party nominations in the forthcoming Presidential Election.

Candidates arrive to the rapturous welcome of their supporters and present their manifesto for a republican or democratic presidency.

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There’s a lot of hype and at the end of it some candidates gain their party’s approval and others may get a thrashing in the poll.

Those who take a thrashing may disappear from the scene entirely, apparently losers and failures.

That is the way with democracy, but it does not mean that the winner is necessarily the best, most honest or wisest candidate; it means only that they have proved most popular with the crowds.

First century accounts of a Jewish teacher entering the city of Jerusalem tell of his being rapturously welcomed by crowds of supporters.

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Within the week, though, he has lost a crucial vote to Barabbas, a disreputable rival talked up by his opponents.

Failing to win the nomination of the crowd can cost you everything - except your integrity, your own soul - but that, in the end, matters rather a lot.

Next week is Holy Week, when Christians remembers Jesus’ journey to the cross. There are services and events throughout the week in churches across

Sussex. As well as those featured here, look out for what’s happening in your local church.

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Palm Sunday Procession – On Sunday 20th March at 3pm from the Sacred Heart Church in Petworth. A walk through the town with the Town Band, and Mr Darcy the Donkey leading the way. Everyone is welcome to join the

procession and to gather as the Easter story is re-told along the way.

Every day next week there are opportunities to reflect on Jesus’ passion, as many churches from Angmering to Cuckfield to West Wittering hold daily services. In particular, some have a tradition of foot washing and/or shared meal on Maundy Thursday – remembering the night before Jesus died.

Good Friday - This year a national event called One Friday, backed by the Archbishop of York, is providing creative and artistic ways of remembering Jesus’

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death through the stations of the cross. There’s more information on their website, including churches in Sussex: http://onefriday.info

Other events include a ‘walk of witness’ in Lewes, a choral concert at St Mary de Haura in Shoreham, and reflective services up and down the county – you’d be most welcome to come along and share in the reflections.