Its rare when the world mourns the loss of a individual. Tributes poured in from every corner of the world and every level in society when it was announced that Nelson Mandela had lost his valiant fight with his chronic lung infection. He had fought for so long that although his passing was expected, it still came as a shock and great sadness to everyone.
In his younger years Mandela was a "rough diamond", but a diamond none the less. He was always fighter. In his youth he was a boxer, he 'fought' to become a lawyer, and then fought for the freedom of all the coloured people in his country. As part the ANC he embraced violent action against state property as his protest and for that he faced possible execution. He then continued that fight by defending himself and others during the trial. The resulting jail sentence of life imprisonment with hard labour on Robben Island gave him another opportunity to fight. But it would be a different type of fighting.
On Robben Island, Mandela was with his co-conspirators of the ANC which allowed them to create and develop a political strategy for the future of South Africa. He also spent most of his time in a solitary cell living the life of a 'monk'.
During that time he changed. This change was recognized by the government of the day and they relaxed some of the restrictions on his contact with the outside world; although he was not allowed to attend the funerals of his mother or his son. This contact brought Mandela into the consciousness of many throughout the world.
Mandela spoke of truth, of compassion, of inclusion rather than division, of love rather than hatred. The old ways of thinking would not work; new ways had to be found, he would not follow the Calf Path.
Then the SA government placed him under house arrest in a bungalow they offered to release him subject to numerous restrictions and conditions. He refused. Release from prison was tempting but Freedom was much more important. Mandela did not, could not change his principles. And the "rest is history" as they say!
Mandela's message was a simple one: love, compassion, truth, respect, and inclusivity for all. These echo the other simple message of our Master Jesus found in 'Thomas'.
Truth
#6: Jesus said: do not lie, and do not do what you dislike
#14: … for what goes into your mouth will not defile you, but what comes out of your mouth, that is what will defile you.
Love & Compassion
#25: Jesus said: Love you brother even as your own soul, guard him even as the pupil of your own eye.
#48: Jesus said: If two make peace with each other in this single house, they will say to the mountain "Move away" and it shall move.
Inclusion
#72: … Oh man, who made me a divider? He turned to his disciples, he said to them: Is it that I am a divider?
Nelson Mandela Became Himself [#42] in that 'monks' cell. He spent his time in that desert and can rightly be known as a Great Soul; may he Rest in Peace