Nelson Mandela RIP

Date: 06 December 2013 07:32:12

One of the most inspiring figures of the 20th and 21st centuries. He stood, and still stands for peace, tolerance and love of all. He broke down barriers not just in South Africa, but all over the world. His influence was not just political, but ethical and moral too. In a country where HIV and AIDS carries a stigma akin to leprosy in Jesus' time, Mandela spoke honestly when one of his own family died of the disease. If South Africans would respond to anyone, they would respond to Madiba. As the crowds dance and sing anti-apartheid movement songs outside his house, I think the whole world will continue to respond to him, in death, as they did in life. Let us pray that another area of the world where an apartheid threatens to overtake everything (Israel/Palestine), will find the strength and the courage that we all know is there, to follow in Madiba's footsteps, to live in peace, harmony and tolerance with, and acceptance of, one another. Pray that the wall will come down, and all people will no longer be divided from their homes, land, and livelihood. It is everyone accepting all, or face the decline into the abyss. Acceptance, tolerance and harmony are needed in many places in this world, including in the UK, where I hear unhelpful attitudes expressed every day of the week, but in this one particular place, I know it is needed more then ever. Amen.