The Most Revd Dr Thabo Makgoba
Archbishop of Cape Town
Diocesan College, Cape Town
War Memorial Chapel Centenary Celebration
Readings: Philippians 1: 1 -11; Psalm 111; Luke 14:1 -6
May I speak in the name of God, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Amen.
Sisters and brothers in Christ, people of God, members of the Tutu family, the Principal, Mr Reeler, the Chair and members of the College Council, academic staff, learners and distinguished guests:
It's a great joy to join you all today; thank you for inviting me, and thank you especially to members of the Tutu family for joining us as we celebrate the 95th birthday year of Archbishop Emeritus Desmond.
Thank you also very much for the benefactors who have donated generously towards the statue which will be unveiled after the service. Thank you to all who worked tirelessly for this day to be a success, especially the Chaplain, the Revd Monwabisi. Thanks to you and your team for preparing the service. Thank you very much for hosting us in this beautiful chapel, which has a special place in my heart. And a very special thank you to Franco Prinsloo, for the Te Deum you have composed to celebrate the centenary of the chapel. We praise God for your creativity.
As we gather in the presence of God on this special day and reflecting on the scriptures read to us this morning we are reminded of our dependence on God.
In the Gospel of Luke (14:1-6), we are presented with the visit of Jesus to the home of a Pharisee for a meal after the synagogue service on the Sabbath. The meal provided an opportunity for teaching in which Jesus healed a person, an act which, because he did it on the Sabbath, aroused the anger of a suspicious and hostile audience. Jesus justified his action by saying healing was not different in principle from rescuing an animal which had fallen into a well; it could be done without delay.
The story makes a similar point to that recorded in chapter 13 (v.11- 17), when Jesus healed a woman, also on the Sabbath, and it is possible that the two stories were originally told as a pair. We should note that Jesus's actions were unlawful only according to rabbinic interpretations, not according to the Messianic law itself.
The main point, however, can be found in the way in which Jesus showed compassion to people experiencing isolation or suffering. We see this compassion in the life and ministry of Desmond Tutu also. Consider these two quotations, which together constitute a powerful statement of his inclusivity and pastoral concern for others, both of which are especially relevant in the times we are going through right now:
The first comes from Archbishop Desmond's little book, God Has a Dream: “In God’s family,” he wrote, there no outsiders. All are insiders. Black and white, rich and poor, gay and straight, Jew and Arab, Palestinian and Israeli, Roman Catholic and Protestant, Serb and Albanian, Hutu and Tutsi, Muslim and Christian, Buddhist and Hindu, Pakistani and Indian – all belong.”1
The second quotation is like it. Preaching in Southwark Cathedral in London, the Archbishop Emeritus had this to say, and again I quote: “Jesus said, ‘I, if I be lifted up from the earth I will draw all, all, all, all, all’... black, white, yellow, rich, poor, clever, not so clever, beautiful, not so beautiful … All, all, all belong: gay, lesbian, so-called straight. All, all are meant to be held in this incredible embrace that will not let us go. All.”2
And if any members of those groups were feeling isolated or excluded, then Desmond Tutu would highlight their situation and speak up for them in particular.
Turning to the other reading today, from the Letter to the Philippians (1:1-11), Paul warns the Philippian Christians of the danger of factions among them. He says Christians are set apart to live for God and are called in holiness. Christ is the very environment of Christian’s life; the believer lives and moves within the orbit of Christ's will, Christ's grace. He provides all we need. We cannot live as we should if we are apart from him. United by faith with Christ, we will experience life to the fullest.
As I end, I want to thank Mama Leah and the Tutu family for allowing Archbishop Emeritus Desmond to be celebrated in this way today. I also congratulate Bishops for this initiative and wish you all well as you carry out your Christian calling. Let me also take this opportunity to wish all of you, educators, learners and your families, well in your end-of-year exams.
Congratulations, and may God bless you, this school, South Africa and the world. God loves you and so do I. Amen.
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1Desmond Tutu, God Has a Dream, p. 20.
2Desmond Tutu, Southwark Cathedral 2004, in God is not a Christian, p. 56