Most of us will know and never forget the name and the work of the Anglican Archbishop Desmond Tutu. Gone from this world, His memory lives on in the moral force That he showed behind nonviolent struggles to bring down Apartheid in South Africa. But Archbishop Tutu’s greatest contribution to this cause came after apartheid was outlawed.  

He was asked to chair the truth and reconciliation Commission. And this committee’s function was to investigate the gross human rights Violations that happened During apartheid. A reign which lasted from 1960 to 1964. Under tutu’s leadership, the commission brought Meaningful justice and healing to south Africa. There was no violent protest by anyone as they gave some opposition.  

And it’s from this experience That Desmond Tutu wrote A book called; ‘No future without reconciliation or forgiveness.’ And in it he writes, “When we see others as the enemy, we risk becoming what we hate. When we oppress others, we end up oppressing ourselves. All our humanity is dependent Upon recognizing the humanity in others.” He goes on to offer These beautiful words for reflection. “We are made for goodness. We are made for love Because we all belong to the family, the human family, God’s family.”  

Friends, these beautiful, Powerful words still ring true. And they’re something That we need to remember in our society and the world Today as we still work for peace and justice. In archbishop tutu’s Perspective, I think is at the very heart of Jesus’s vision of the kingdom of God. We hear in the readings today Jesus calls us to repent from anything that keeps us from seeing one another With the eyes of love. Love for brother and sister, Part of this human family of God.  

Today we are reminded, repent, and not just believe in the good news, but to live the good news. We are made for goodness. We are made for love Because we all belong to this family, The human family, god’s family. And so I’d ask you to think Today, are there any adjustments That you need to make? Any adjustments I need to make to better reflect this spirit and the love of God?