As I watch a candidate going through the process of joining a community, I could feel a wonderful mix of emotions. Anticipation, discovery, and reflection on the ground just covered were part of the mix but there was more. Everyone present was being drawn into his emotions and in the process reliving the emotions that linger from our individual memories of the welcoming process when we joined. As the evening progressed the spirit of welcoming acceptance grew into a chorus of friendship and camaraderie.
As tiredness began to creep in, my reflections included scenes past and present. The recurring themes had several dimensions to them.
Communities form and sustain themselves with bonds linking the individuals to each other. Experience suggests that when they are forced or manipulated, the community will not last. On the other hand, when there is a natural truth of goodness linking the individuals with each other as well as to themselves, then “your people will freely join you, resplendent in holy armor on the great day of your conquest, join you at the fresh break of day, join you with all the vigor of youth.” (Psalm 110.03)
Acceptance is always as two-way process. One must be willing to embrace the acceptance of others. When it is freely offered, it can feel unusual even awkward. You could see the confusion and uncertainty on the face of the candidate. As he first accepted the arm on the shoulder and then began with small steps of relaxing into the community’s embrace, you could see doubts being replaced hope, fear with assurance, and uncertainty with trust. The process was complete when he embraced others as tightly as he was being embraced.
Communities are never static, they act, grow, and change with each meeting of two or more members. As we grew with a candidate as well as a lost but now found member, it was a celebration of a home coming and the possibilities of more to come.
It was good to see, experience anew, and remember. So much is possible, especially when walking with others.
