"Oh, how good and pleasant it is, when brethren live together in unity!"
(Psalm 133.1, BCP pg.787)
The Mountain is pretty unique. Unless you have lived in a small town or village you probably will have a difficult time relating to what I am about to write. But stick with it for a bit. And do not think I am deceived into thinking that there is no brokenness or imperfections on the Mountain. It's here even if one does not easily see it. That being said, there is much here upon which to reflect and from which to learn.
I walk to the seminary just about everyday. In fact, I walk just about everywhere. Yesterday I walked to "downtown," also known as "The Village," to catch up with a friend over yogurt from the only chain food place in town (although you would be hard pressed to recognize it as such). As we visited, people, some of whom we knew and some of whom we did not, walked by (it was a pretty busy little place) and acknowledged us. And by that I mean they said "Hi!"
People here help one understand what is meant by the term "Southern Hospitality." They will look you in the eye and say "Good morning!" and "Hi!" as they walk by. Standing in line in the dining hall, a perfect stranger will engage in a conversation about their day. And it will be interesting since there are so many conferences and camps happening that draw people, both young and old, from all over the country.
I have met many folks participating in a myriad of activities. The rector of a parish from Maryland in the Letters program. A high school student attending a three week math and science camp. School alums of all sorts visiting friends or participating in conferences. I am getting reacquainted with folks I knew when I was here and planning of visiting with still others whom I have not seen yet. I have even been reunited with folks from the Diocese of West Texas and I get to have coffee and coversation with a young person from the parish who has grown up, married and move on to another part of the country. I have met several gifted muscians from their teens to college aged who are here as part of the Music Festival. And, of course, I have met a host of new friends and colleagues who are in classes with me.
"Oh, how good and pleasant it is, when brethren live together in unity!"
Ecce, quam bonum!
This verse is a part of the University seal. Unlike the "tag lines" of many companies and, sadly, many churches, one can see this verse being lived out in classrooms, dining halls, bookstores, yogurt shops, streets and in the several worship spaces which dot this 13,000 acre campus. Brothers and sisters living in unity is not an ideal, not a pipe-dream. Rather, it is a practiced habit of noticing and acknowledging, of speaking to the person and to the "Imago Dei" ("Image of God") that animates that person.
Whom have you noticed today? What stranger received a smile and a gracious "good morning" from you? What words of kindness did you speak to the person at the cash register? In what ways did you work to make real and tangible in the places you "live and move and have your being" the joy of brothers and sisters living together in unity?
The Mountain may be a unique place. But it is not the only place where deep and gracious community can happen. In fact, God offers this little glimpse of what could be to those of us who wander on this holy ground for short intervals of time so that when we venture back home we can take a bit of Sewanee with us to share with others.
I am experiencing much joy in being a part of the community on this Holy Mountain. But I am also looking forward to the joy of reuniting with the communities I have back home. With God's grace I will be able to bring a little Sewanee home and help others begin to understand just how good and pleasant it is when sisters and brothers can look beyond their differences and live together in the perfect unity of God: Father, Son and Holy Spirit.
Ecce, quam bonum!
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