No Future Without Forgiveness

Archbishop Desmond Tutu gestures after receiving the Jamnalal Baja International Award in Cape Town, June 25, 2001.  The award, named after a close associate of Mahatma Gandhi, recognises the promotion of Gandhian values outside India. REUTERS/Mike Hutchings --- Image by © Reuters/CORBIS

It is Archbishop Emeritus Desmond Tutu’s 80th birthday today, an event which has been widely publicised in local press this week. This is a man who received the Nobel Peace Prize in 1984 for his role in changing the landscape of South Africa and standing boldly against the Apartheid system in the face of great opposition. In the New South Africa he led the Truth and Reconciliation Commission (April 1996 - June 1998) which at the time brought great healing to many hearts.

What impresses me most about his life is that he is known to be a Man of Prayer, punctuating his daily life with hours of private (personal) and corporate prayer.

In his book “No Future Without Forgiveness” (©1999), the Archbishop says “We happened to have been blessed with leaders who were ready to take risks – when you embark on the business of asking for and giving forgiveness, you are taking a risk. If you ask another person for forgiveness you may be spurned; the one you have injured may refuse to forgive you. The risk is even greater if you are the injured party, wanting to offer forgiveness. The culprit may be arrogant, obdurate or blind; not ready or willing to apologise or ask for forgiveness in their turn. He or she thus cannot receive the forgiveness they are offered. Such rejection can jeopardise the whole enterprise. Our leaders were ready in South Africa to say they were willing to walk the path of confession, forgiveness and reconciliation with all the hazards that lay along the way. And it seems their gamble might be paying off since our land has not been overwhelmed by the catastrophe that had seemed so inevitable.”

When he received news that he had prostrate cancer, journalists asked him if he was worried now that he had a terminal disease. He said, “We are all living with a terminal disease. It is called life.”

He also said, “when you have a potentially terminal disease this gives new intensity to live”. By allowing the mind to focus on the important things in life you are able to live your remaining life to the fullest. You spend time with the things that matter to you - love of family, sounds of music, and the beauty of nature, God’s own creation.

A remarkable man. An amazing life.