The Timeless Struggle Against Corruption

 Drawing from the exploration of the Parable of the Widow's Mite and the corruption in the time of Jesus, we see powerful lessons that remain relevant today. The Widow's Mite story tells of a poor woman who, despite her own need, gave all she had out of her devotion and faith. This is contrasted with the wealthier people who gave just a fraction of their excess wealth. Jesus commended the widow's generosity, remarking that she gave more than all the others because she gave out of her poverty, while others gave out of their surplus.

 Parallel to this, the narrative around the corruption of the high priests of the Temple, particularly the families of Annas and Caiaphas, reflects a misuse of power and influence. The authorities exploited their position and the devotion of the faithful for personal gain, drawing a stark contrast to the selfless act of the widow.

 In today's world, we still witness this dichotomy. On one hand, we see those who, even in their need, contribute to society, help others, and uphold values of integrity, mirroring the widow's actions. On the other hand, there are those who, in positions of power and wealth, exploit systems for personal gain at the expense of others, much like the corrupt high priests.

 Corruption in today's world takes many forms - from bribery and embezzlement to fraud and money laundering. It is prevalent not just in politics, but in business, finance, and other sectors as well. It undermines social and economic development, exacerbates inequality, and erodes public trust.

 As a Unitarian community, we believe in the inherent worth and dignity of every person, justice, equity, and compassion in human relations. Thus, we must confront corruption in its many forms. It is our role to hold those in power accountable, to work towards systems that are transparent and fair, and to support those who, like the widow, give selflessly out of their need.

By drawing parallels between these biblical stories and modern issues, we can find valuable insights into how we can promote justice and integrity in our world today. Just as Jesus challenged the corruption of his time, we too must stand against misuse of power and work towards a world that values generosity, fairness, and honesty.

 As we reflect on these stories, let us remember that each of us, in our own way, can make a difference. Whether it's through speaking out against injustice, acting with integrity in our daily lives, or giving of ourselves in service to others, we can contribute to a more equitable and compassionate world.

 In the modern context, financial institutions such as Credit Suisse serve as a striking example of this dichotomy. As documented by The Guardian, there have been numerous instances where the bank's leaders have been implicated in questionable practices, such as money laundering, tax evasion, and circumventing regulations. Despite being entities of immense wealth and influence, they have used their positions not for societal good, but to further their own interests, often at the expense of others. These actions echo the self-serving practices of the high priests in the times of Jesus.

 Yet, just as the widow in the Parable of the Widow's Mite acted out of devotion and faith, there are still individuals and organizations today that strive to uphold integrity and fairness, even in the face of systemic corruption. These entities contribute to societal well-being, exemplifying the values of generosity, justice, and compassion that we hold dear as a Unitarian community.

 In both the biblical and modern narratives, we see the damaging effects of corruption and the inspirational power of selfless giving. In a world often marred by misuse of power, our mission becomes clear: we must advocate for transparency, hold those in power accountable, and champion the values of justice, equity, and compassion in our human relations. We each have a role to play in fostering a more equitable and compassionate world, whether it is by speaking out against injustice, acting with integrity, or serving others in our community. Just as Jesus challenged the corruption of his time, we too are called to work towards a world that values honesty, fairness, and generosity.

 Here is a list of events that are known to us that were drawn from the report by the Guardian Newspaper:

• 1986: Assisting Ferdinand and Imelda Marcos: Credit Suisse reportedly aided the Marcos couple in hiding their stolen wealth.
• 1999: Japanese 'shredding party': The bank was implicated in destroying evidence during an investigation.
• 2000: Funds linked to Nigerian dictator Sani Abacha: The bank was reprimanded for accepting funds linked to corruption.
• 2004: Money laundering for the Japanese yakuza: A banker was arrested for allegedly assisting in money laundering activities.
• 2009: Circumventing US sanctions: Credit Suisse deliberately bypassed US sanctions against countries like Iran and Sudan.
• 2011: German tax evasion: The bank settled an investigation into tax evasion by its German clients.
• 2014: Assisting US tax evasion: The bank pled guilty to aiding Americans in tax evasion for decades.
• 2016: Italian tax evasion: The bank settled allegations of helping clients evade taxes through complex insurance policies.
• 2012: US sub-prime bond fraud: Four former Credit Suisse bankers were charged with fraudulently overstating the price of sub-prime bonds.
• 2016: US anti-money-laundering fine: The bank was fined for "significant deficiencies" in its anti-money-laundering program.
• 2017: Money-laundering linked to 1MDB: The bank was fined for breaching money-laundering rules in transactions linked to 1MDB.
• 2017: European tax evasion: Investigations were launched in several countries related to suspected tax evasion involving the bank.
• 2018: Weak controls linked to dealings with Petrobras, PDVSA, and FIFA: The bank was ordered to improve its anti-money-laundering controls.
• 2018: Fraud conviction of Patrice Lescaudron: A former banker was sentenced to prison for forging client signatures and diverting funds.
• 2018: Hong Kong jobs-for-business scandal: The bank settled over a corruption scheme offering jobs to family and friends of Chinese officials.
• 2019: Corporate espionage: The bank admitted to hiring private detectives to track outgoing executives.
• 2020: Bulgarian drug trafficking: The bank was indicted for failing to run proper checks on clients linked to a Bulgarian drug ring.
• 2021: Loss from Archegos collapse: The bank recorded a major loss due to risky exposure to Archegos Capital Management.
• 2021: Greensill scandal: The bank had to suspend investor funds after the collapse of Greensill Capital.
• 2021: Mozambique tuna bonds: The bank was fined for its role in a loan bribery scandal that pushed Mozambique into financial crisis.

 The narrative of the Parable of the Widow's Mite and the actions of Credit Suisse as revealed by The Guardian report are but two chapters in the ongoing human story of greed, power, and corruption. These instances shed light on a harsh reality that despite advancements in laws and regulations, corruption continues to persist. Some acts may remain hidden, slipping through the cracks of our systems, and some may even be concealed by moral circumnavigation.

Whether it's bending the rules to one's advantage or exploiting loopholes in the laws, such morally questionable behaviour is not uncommon among those who prioritize personal gain over the common good. This conduct, though often cloaked under the guise of business strategies or complex financial mechanisms, boils down to an unbridled greed that harms society at large.

As we look at the string of incidents involving Credit Suisse and many other financial institutions worldwide, we are reminded of a crucial truth - unchecked power and influence can breed corruption. Without proper oversight and enforcement of strict ethical standards, the potential for misuse becomes alarmingly high.

These stories highlight the persistent presence of greed in our human narrative. Yet, they should not dishearten us; instead, they should strengthen our resolve to work towards a more equitable world. Just as the widow's mite has shown us, true worth lies not in the quantity of what we possess, but in the quality of our actions. We must strive to encourage actions that promote justice, equity, compassion, and integrity in all sectors of society, from finance to politics and beyond.

We are, therefore, called to raise our voices against these shadows of corruption that loom over society. To expose the unseen, to question the circumnavigation, and to demand justice where there's wrongdoing. The fight against corruption is not just about punishing the guilty, it's about upholding the values we hold dear and ensuring that the institutions meant to serve society do so with integrity and fairness.

While we recognize that the human story is often marred by greed and corruption, we must also remember that it is within our power to change the narrative. By fostering transparency, accountability, and a strong sense of justice, we can contribute to a society where integrity is valued over personal gain, and service to others outweighs the pursuit of wealth. Only then can we truly honour the lesson of the Widow's Mite and build a world that values generosity, fairness, and honesty.

Our struggle against greed and corruption is an enduring one, a challenge we must continually confront. But let's not lose heart. Instead, let's stand firm, fortified by our shared values and collective strength. Stay resilient and continue to champion the cause of justice. In the face of adversity, let's strive onward, steadfastly fighting the noble fight!