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The Essence of Being Human
The Wisdom of Desmond Tutu
Compiled by Michael Battle
Westminster/John Knox Press, 2000.
Reviewed by Anthony Chiffolo
"Meditation a day" books are always popular, and one that I recommend to readers who enjoy language is titled The Wisdom of Desmond Tutu. Compiled by Michael Battle, this little "wisdom" book provides thirty selections from the Bishop's thoughts, prayers, writings, and speeches -- one for each day of the month.
And what a month of readings it is--within this book one finds some profound thoughts about the importance of living in harmony with one another. For example, consider this: "A solitary human being is a contradiction in terms." Food for hours of meditation in nine simple words.
Bishop of Johannesburg and Archbishop of Cape Town during the dismantling of the apartheid system in South Africa, Desmond Tutu is one of the greatest spiritual leaders of our time. A consistent and tireless opponent of violence and of apartheid, he was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 1984. He is now chairman of South Africa's Truth and Reconciliation Commission.
The quotations in this book give insight into the faith that has inspired this tireless seeker after truth and reconciliation.
He writes about Ubuntu, the essence of being human: "We say a person is a person through other persons. We don't come fully formed into the world. We learn how to think, how to walk, how to speak, how to behaveindeed how to be humanfrom other human beings. We need other human beings in order to be human. We are made for togetherness, we are made for family, for fellowship, to exist in a tender network of interdependence."
Tutu brings good news to society's outcast and disenfranchised members: "The very hairs of our heads are numbered and we are known by name by this God for whom not even a sparrow can fall to the ground without God noting it. This is tremendous news to those who are downtrodden and oppressed. They discover that they do, indeed, matter enormously to this God. That they have infinite worth in God's sight. For they were created in God's image. This news becomes subversive, explosive, revolutionary material in a situation of injustice and oppression."
And he is profoundly concerned with our relationship with the Creator: "If we are faithful we will help to bring to pass that great vision of John the Divineof people from every race, tribe, nation and language united in the praise and worship of Almighty God."
Although these are all short selections from the Bishop’s writings and speeches, they demonstrate not only his eloquence but also his ability to provoke, to challenge, to inspire with a few simple phrases. This, the ability to communicate effectivelyto motivate people to actionin just a few words, shows the real power of his expression.
Take this book on vacation, to the beach or the mountains, and spend a few minutes each day really meditating on Bishop Tutu's words. If his expression of Ubuntu and his understanding of the meaning and importance of community had the power to overturn the face of South African government, what changes might they effect in our own communities?
Anthony F. Chiffolo is the author of 100 Names of Mary: Stories & Prayers, published by St. Anthony Messenger Press. He reviews books for WVOX Radio, 1460 AM, in New Rochelle, New York, and for community newsletters. Chiffolo is also the author of Be Mindful of Us: Prayers to the Saints, the An Hour with the Saints series of pamphlets, and other books from Liguori Publications. He lives in Hartsdale, New York.
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