October seventh is Archbishop Desmond Tutu’s birthday. He has long been a famous hero of mine, due to his justice work in South Africa that reverberated around the world. But The Book of Forgiving, which he co-wrote with his daughter, Mpho Tutu, showed glimpses of his soul.

He said that “nothing is unforgivable” and “there is no one who is beyond redemption.” He demonstrated that belief repeatedly in his years of enduring racial degradation, and as he led the Truth and Reconciliation Commission for the entire country after apartheid was officially ended. He is one of my forgiveness heroes, and someone who has helped to shape my life.

Yours in faith,

Betsy Schwarzentraub