1931 -2021: Desmond Tutu is honest about being a Narcissist:

"The thing that riles me most is being unpopular." - D. Tutu
https://youtu.be/eZwSzdHUL-8

My personal tribute to this man who came to speak to my theological birthplace Fuller Theological Seminary. I was so blessed to have been in a packed chapel on that once-in-a-lifetime- occasion. It is powerfully appropriate that his homegoing service will be on my day of

Imani

The final principle translates to "faith."
Karenga defines this as faith in community, writing, "To believe with all our heart in our people, our parents, our teachers, our leaders and the righteousness and victory of our struggle."

So, he was born the same year as my mother. He chose the Religion of pagentry, smells and bells and luxury and opulence. It meshed seamlessly with his "thorn in the flesh-- his craving craven popularity. He co-existed by acknowledging his "wart" and embracing it without fanfare. This makes him an amazing man in my book.

"Desmond Tutu - Wikipedia" https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Desmond_Tutu

He was the brightest and best, a role model for non-toxic masculinity and an inclusive Christianity of African Continental Origins. For Archbishop Tutu, European Christianity was always third or fourth tier, fatally flawed by its embrace of racism, misogyny, and homophobia, on a global scale.

Because he was, I can be here now, warts and all. It is very good that it is very so. I wish for Dubya Bush and Condie Rice to feel his loss deeply and acutely for the (un)rest of their (un)natural lives. Living Disgraced lives, they are prime examples of unmerited favor, the unconditional forgiveness and truly beneficient Grace of the Unconditionally Loving Most High God.

DJT, a.k.a. POTUS45 completely shatters the mainstream mythology that the differently-abled mentally ill are universally guileless angels somehow entitled to be allowed to misbehave in public and private spaces BECAUSE of their different abilities and mental health issues.
Without 24/7 supports, there are limitations to what the differently-abled-mentally-challenged can achieve. This is not unfair, it is just a fact. We forget that fact to our ongoing peril-- the HIV/AIDS and COVID global pandemics. The Crumbleys of Michigan are 2021 examples of this same phenomenon. Note well, gentle readers, how often you have said "crazy" in the course of multiple conversations with consistency in multiple situations ever since you were born.

GLOBALLY, Society must acknowledge and begin to support the parents of these children because they never get to launch these children, their sons and daughters/our sons and daughters.

The guilt these couples bear can drive them to drink and or drugs. Their higher functioning siblings can suffer as a consequence. They will always demand a village of lifetime caregivers. We must all accept our responsibilties in this effort, moving forward together. Otherwise, we will sooner rather than later, cease to exist as a species. Watch Helen Mirren and the cast of "The Madness of King George" to see an ancient example of exactly what I am talking about. The world reknowned series, "The Crown" is how these themes continue to play out in the decline of the Empire of Great Britain.

Oh Holy Night- plays in my mind on a Silent Night where even the most deadly wars can cease.

To Archbishop Desmond Tutu:

"Truly He taught us and still teaches us to love one another;
His law was and remains love and His Gospel was and remains Peace"- a Blessing I hope is said over me someday.

O HOLY NIGHT
[Verse 1]
O Holy night! The stars are brightly shining
It is the night of our dear Savior's birth
Long lay the world in sin and error pining
'Til He appears and the soul felt its worth
A thrill of hope the weary world rejoices
For yonder breaks a new and glorious morn
Fall on your knees; O hear the Angel voices!
O night divine, O night when Christ was born
O night, O Holy night, O night divine!

[Verse 2]
Led by the light of Faith serenely beaming
With glowing hearts by His cradle we stand
So led by light of a star sweetly gleaming
Here come the Wise Men from Orient land
The King of kings lay thus in lowly manger
In all our trials born to be our friend
He knows our need, to our weakness is no stranger
Behold your King; before Him lowly bend
Behold your King; before Him lowly bend
[Verse 3]
Truly He taught us to love one another;
His law is love and His Gospel is Peace
Chains shall He break, for the slave is our brother
And in His name, all oppression shall cease
Sweet hymns of joy in grateful chorus raise we
Let all within us Praise His Holy name
Christ is the Lord; O praise His name forever!
His power and glory evermore proclaim
His power and glory evermore proclaim

AND SO IT IS.
ASHE (ah-shay).
AMEN.

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