A New Union

Inspired by a lecture from President Serene Jones exploring Niebuhrian dichotomies of theology, political ideology & spirituality, a reflection on what it means to live life at Union Theological Seminary:

We entered eager and expectant, wide-eyed,

and upon being immersed, understood

that our eyes had not yet known open.

Alighting within these walls from the world and unexpected corners,

assembled here to be reassembled, coming to be broken.

Arriving was like overcoming; the growing is a happy, endless struggle.

But now rooted together, anchored in freedom, we can give names

to what we see before us, to that which we would have never even

noticed before.  You are training our eyes to speak a new language: open.

Irenaeus declared "The glory of God is [hu]man[ity] fully alive."

We find life here; we share it each moment between cupped hands,

warm it for the next one, and smiling, watch it leave home.