Joy Personified
Thanks to Ann for this alert.
Archbishop Desmond Tutu was the sole guest on CBS's Late Late Show on March 4. The 40-minute program (without commercials) is available here. I watched it online last night, and it's delightful.
Abp Tutu talks about the healing that came through South Africa's Truth & Reconciliation Commission, the importance of forgiveness in our lives, his joy at President Obama's election, and (as they say) more, much more. Through it all he is laughing, playful, joyful. He doesn't talk about religion or spiritual issues per se, but as I watched, I thought: Yes, this is what holiness looks like!
One wonders: Why in the world didn't Rowan Williams appoint Archbishop Tutu as one of the "Pastoral Visitors"?? [Story here.] Surely no one in the world is better qualified in the ministry of reconciliation.
Archbishop Desmond Tutu was the sole guest on CBS's Late Late Show on March 4. The 40-minute program (without commercials) is available here. I watched it online last night, and it's delightful.Abp Tutu talks about the healing that came through South Africa's Truth & Reconciliation Commission, the importance of forgiveness in our lives, his joy at President Obama's election, and (as they say) more, much more. Through it all he is laughing, playful, joyful. He doesn't talk about religion or spiritual issues per se, but as I watched, I thought: Yes, this is what holiness looks like!
One wonders: Why in the world didn't Rowan Williams appoint Archbishop Tutu as one of the "Pastoral Visitors"?? [Story here.] Surely no one in the world is better qualified in the ministry of reconciliation.
posted by Lisa Fox at 3/10/2009 05:54:00 AM
10 Comments:
Oh Lisa, this looks great. I will watch it tonight.
Tutu is a treasure indeed.
Thank you.
No, no one is more qualified. On my list of people I admire, he ranks first; if not, a very close second.
He's a living saint and the very embodiment of true holiness and Christian charity.
I was never so angry as when a family member (you might guess who it was) once described ++Tutu as weak, Godless an a heretic.
I told him out loud: "The archbishop is more Godly and a stronger man of faith than anyone I've ever known or encountered."
That remark cut to the bone, no doubt, and it should have.
Fran, I hope it may help as a counterbalance to your heavy heart. To be able to be joyful even after (and while!) experiencing pain is a true spiritual gift.
Amen, Lee. And LOL! yes, I can imagine with whom you had that exchange.
I will watch this too. He is such a joyful man.
There is a billboard on I-79 north near Fairmont, West Virginia no less, with his gentle face dominating it. The slogan is one of peace (but I'm having a senior moment and can't think of what exactly it says, argh).
As for Rowan the Spineless, I'm not sure "reconciliation" is in his shoebox.
Indeed! One wonders why. I suspect that the ABC would view Abp. Tutu as one who might, as moved by the Spirit, stray off the the well-worn path that the ABC has chosen to walk.
I do think you have a point here, but Archbishop Tutu hasn't got a chance.
First it's the question of competition - would Dr Rowan really want someone else to succeed where he himself doesn't?
Second, does he want reconciliation anyhow?
Isn't it just Sit in the boat, instead?
Juanuchis, I'd love to know what the billboard says ... next time you go by it.
Mimi, I keep trying ... but it is very difficult for me to counter my instinct that Rowan just wants to give us a good spanking. Look at the list of "Pastoral Visitors." Of that whole gaggle, there's not a one who could remotely be considered a "friend" to TEC. To me [and to Jim Naughton too], that doesn't look like a group of reconcilers. It looks like a posse. Maybe that's just me ...
Göran, I don't want to be cynical ... but I can't argue with you.
Yeah... There are are a few others too. But, I am not sure the ABC is interested in reconciliation. After all, that might mean change.
Indeed, Lindy. Or it could mean a return to the spirit of generosity that prevailed at Lambeth 1988, when some of the African biships came, acknowledging polygamy in their churches and seeking counsel, and the rest of the Communion said, in essence, "We trust you to act as faithful Christians within your culture."
Oh, I love the internet. You can actually print the .pdf of the billboard at www.values.com. It says, "His moral compass points to equality.
Peace. Pass it on."
I'm ashamed I couldn't remember that. And again, I'm mildly surprised to see it prominently along the main interstate in central West Virginia. (We're not exactly a bastion of human rights here in many ways -- I can say that, I'm a native who loves her state.)
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