© Photo of Archbishop Desmond Tutu by Medzio Kumpuni
Tutu the Great!
Why do we call Alexander Great?
Because he marched with elephants
destroying everything in his path?
Obliterating the sacred library
of the Sumarian empire and
Parsee religion? Great!
Burning and trampling tablets
containing poetry and holy
scriptures without equal?
Destroying sacred temples
where God's people met
worshiping "in the light?"
The light of God made manifest
a thousand years before Jesus
asked to be called "Teacher."
That same light burning brightly
above a humble stable
and a humble people.
Another humble man
born of a humble mother
once again brings a great light.
Nurtured by a strong mother
taught by loving teachers like Trevor,
By the time he was told he was inferior
it was too late.
Desmond sings an ancient song:
all people members of one
human family; brothers and
sisters all.
"Ujamaa," familyhood, an
African theme but many times
belied by claims of clan or tribe.
Horrorendous genocide as evil as
the elephants of Alexander, slaughter
ignoring ancient wisdom.
The potential for even greater
warfare between the races
disgracing all of Africa
averted, evil denied.
And central to that revelation
truly an interracial revolution
standing tall with the dirt of
apartheid underfoot this
humble man is asked
to balance truth
and reconciliation
lubricated with
love and
forgiveness.
Who would have thought,
in South Africa of all places
the encrustation of apartheid
could be loosened
by a simple concept of family
preached by a simple man?
People yearn for peace. It comes
like the rains after the dry season,
assisted by terrible tears that fall.
People once again till the earth
and plant seeds of hope.
The turning of the soil moistened
by rain and tears and time becomes
the metaphor-- turn our swords into
plowshares if we want peace enough
to leave our warring ways.
In the light of truth we realize
we have sinned and ask for forgiveness
for our selves. Selves now yearning
to be family once again. This is
God's Greatness made manifest.
by this simple, humble man
appropriately called great!