A Mandela Moment

His Long Journey Home book impressed me.

Nelson Mandela walked out of prison after a quarter-century, released of the bars that confined him.

Still, he seemed "free" even before the bars lifted to let this man go!

Perhaps as eventful and stunning was his willingness to forgive his enemies who locked him up.

That kind of forgiveness, penance and reconciliation, is a lesson to learn in relations with others.

Deep dignity, compassion and real democracy for his country are gifts, for sure.

While reading his trek I was touched by his deliverance from resentment, from the French, meaning, re-sent, I'm told, until I "let go" of that festering unhealed wound within. Sealed resentments are returned to sender, if you will, to paraphrase a popular song, until he or she releases the wound and the wounder for that matter.

Mandela is a model for us to do that for a better world.

Following Jesus, he forgave, let go, loved his enemies in spite of their own sin and shortcomings that put him in jail unjustly. Yet, like St. Paul, who wrote most of the Christian Scriptures, there was no concealing of the Word of God in jail for Mandela as well. Life poured forth despite bars.

Both knew how to live and love in their time of oppression.

They were imaginative and nurturing.

Mandela planted a garden near his cell. More life behind bars.

His meaning kept him free behind closed doors.

Richard Stengal blesses our roots and relationships with his latest tome, Nelson Mandela's Way: 15 Lessons on Life, Love, and Courage.

A Mandela moment. A model supreme.

Relearning penance and forgiveness as Benedict XVI admonishes his Church and culture to learn, practice and relish once more.

We all can.