Captives Will Be Released

The Spirit of the LORD is upon me,
for he has anointed me to bring Good News to the poor.
He has sent me to proclaim that captives will be released,
that the blind will see,
that the oppressed will be set free... Jesus of Nazareth

The first person of colour to serve as the president of the United States was at his oratorical best this morning, speaking in stirring fashion before the crowd of 100,000 in a stadium in Soweto. As he paid tribute to Nelson Mandela he reminded this crowd and millions around the world about the possibilities which are born out of what appears to be hopelessness.



In the audience was former Canadian Prime Minister who I didn't like much when he was in office, but was a lion when it came to seeking Mandela's release from prison, standing up to the bullying of British PM Margaret Thatcher and leading the Commonwealth in this cause. It's unfortunate that he wasn't given the opportunity to speak.

At the conclusion another heroic figure, former archbishop Desmond Tutu, called the people of South
Africa to responsibility for a better future and the country's highest good.

This was fitting on the International Day for Human Rights, don't you think? Of course it is wonderful to speak in glowing terms about Mandela as a freedom fighter, even though many regimes represented at the gathering today regarded him as a terrorist for decades and wanted him to remain in prison.

History shows that too often religious groups side with the powerful rather than the oppressed and even become the oppressor. I am grateful that part of my memory of life in the United Church is of my parents explaining to me as a child the grave sin of apartheid. I know it has shaped my perceptions of justice as an aspect of the gospel of Jesus Christ.

Here is a portion of a prayer for Mandela and for justice posted on the United Church website:  

For us, in our actions, Mandela is here.

So as we journey with our siblings imprisoned by poverty, slavery,

and all forms of created suffering,
we will remember Mandela’s belief that we are all imprisoned until we are all free.

 As we encounter forces of resistance that feel overwhelmingly insurmountable,

we will remember the integrity and grace with which Mandela held to his convictions while he was imprisoned for 27 years.

 And as we give thanks to our Creator for the life of Mandela,

we will continue to pray for your comfort to surround the family, friends, and nation that mourn the loss of Madiba;
we will celebrate a life that perpetually worked for the good of all;
and we will affirm that his legacy will continue
in our memories and actions.

 As we entrust him into your loving care,

may we commend him to our hearts.      

Amen.                  Alydia Smith

What are your thoughts today?