I suddenly see the resemblance between him and my Lord, Jesus Christ. Love. Brave. Forgiveness. Hate to see injustice. Sacrifice. Reconciliation with one's enemy.
I must say, I have a long way to go. To imitate these great people.
Mandela admired Jesus Christ himself, as he once said:
Our Messiah, who came to us in the form of a mortal man, but who by his suffering and crucifixion attained immortality.
Our Messiah, born like an outcast in a stable, and executed like criminal on the cross.
Our Messiah, whose life bears testimony to the truth that there is no shame in poverty: Those who should be ashamed are they who impoverish others.
Whose life testifies to the truth that there is no shame in being persecuted: Those who should be ashamed are they who persecute others.
Whose life proclaims the truth that there is no shame in being conquered: Those who should be ashamed are they who conquer others.
Whose life testifies to the truth that there is no shame in being dispossessed: Those who should be ashamed are they who dispossess others.
Whose life testifies to the truth that there is no shame in being oppressed: Those who should be ashamed are they who oppress others.” (Mandela 1994).
And said that the resurrected Messiah:
who without arms,
without soldiers,
without police and covert special forces,
without hit squads or bands of vigilantes,
overcame the mightiest state during his time.
This great festival of rejoicing marks the victory of the forces of life over death, of hope over despair.
We pray with you for the blessings of peace! We pray with you for the blessings of love! We pray with you for the blessings of freedom!” (Mandela 1992; see also Mandela 2003, 332).
