We apologise in advance that the sound quality of this podcast is not up to our usual standards, but we hope you will still enjoy Glynn Cardy's look at a modern saint on All Saints' Day. 91 years old, Nelson Mandela remains and icon of forgiveness and reconciliation.
"Most of the traditional saints, when viewed with historical-critical tools, are less than inspiring. By modern standards many would need the support of the mental health services. Unconstrained by religious convention however we can think about ‘saints’ more broadly as those who encourage and inspire us in our faith.
"Personally I find it hard to go past Nelson Mandela. He is a modern exemplar of perseverance, courage, humility, and reconciliation. He’s also someone who would be appalled by the honorific of ‘saint’ being attached to his name. He has never walked the path of self-glorification that Brian Tamaki, and others before him, thinks is the route to spiritual wisdom."
Full text and video links at www.stmatthews.org.nz.
