Friday 11 December 2009

I find these to be radical ideas about power from Tutu - by Michael Battle.

Underlying Tutu's examination of power is the presupposition that Ubuntu, as an African concept, provides the basis for a particular theology in which Tutu is able to conclude:
"We will grow in the knowledge that they [white people] too are God's children, even though they may be our oppressors, though they may be our enemies. Paradoxically, and more truly, they are really our sisters and our brothers, because we have dared, and have the privilege to call God 'Abba,' Our Father. Therefore, they belong together with us in the family of God, and their humanity is caught up in our humanity, as ours is caught up in theirs."

The whole story of this day and how it unfolds begins with the truth that we all - with all of our differences that cause us to hate one another, go to war with one another, despise one another - are brothers and sisters because we all are God's beloved. This "all" is amazing because it can never be altered by us. The "all" will always be "all." Even when we do not want those others to be included in the "all," we must remember that in our stinking thinking...we too are a part of the "all" even when other would not want us to be included. In the meantime, comes the everyday dynamics of the relationships we enter with one another. We are encouraged and empowered to live a daring life in which we reach across the divide and never let the power of division be the power that runs our life. We are the beloved of God - we are not like the ways of the world. Yikes! This living within the Reign of God is more than I can handle. Therefore in the season of Advent we continually pray, Stir up our hearts, O God.

Connection: Usually enemies are the ones we simply do not invite to the table. I can identify with that. And yet, as followers of Jesus, there must be ways that we will open ourselves to such adventures. It is not easy - for anyone.

Stir up our hearts, O God, and Come with your power of life into all that we do. Bring you love into our lives that we will continue to seek the end of the separation that makes us a violent people even as we claim to be the followers of the Prince of Peace. Amen.