INVOCATION 2008

 

One of my favorite characters from the Bible is Jacob.  Jacob has rather a hard time with his family, and finally has to flee for his life after appropriating the birthright of his older brother.  When we meet up with Jacob on this journey of escape, he goes to sleep, and dreams—do you know this story?  There’s a ladder connecting Heaven and Earth, and Jacob sees angels going up and down.  When he awakens, he says, Wow!  Gd was in this place, but I didn’t know it! 

 

You know what he means to say: Yiikes!  I was in the presence of Holiness, of the Holy Blessed One, and I didn’t even know it!

 

This happens to people with spiritual sensibility.  Sometimes, though we think we’re attuned to the meaning of events around us, perhaps we don’t really grasp the spiritual meaning of a moment until long after it’s gone.  That’s ok—the important thing is that we are able to come to that meaning, even if some time has passed.

 

Our opportunity as spiritual beings—our task as spiritual people—is to be present to the presence of holiness.  And if we’re not present at the moment of Presence, we still can recapture that meaning, even after the moment, and bring it into our lives.

 

So be present to the presence of holiness:

 

In a few minutes, when you’re descending these steps with your diploma in your hand, be present to the holiness in this moment.

 

When your family embraces you, with pride and smiles and maybe a few tears, be present to the holiness in a lifetime of love that has brought you to this day.

 

When you share your friends’ congratulations today, friends with whom you have lived high and low moments these four years, be present to the holiness of friendship and the love from others that embraces you as much as their arms.

 

When you think of the wondrous learning and special guidance you’ve received from teachers and advisors, be present to the holiness of the Divine, the Godliness that is with us whenever we teach, and learn.

 

And when you climb in the car today, and start down the highway out of this purple valley, know that there will be times in the coming months and years when you may awaken like Jacob to the holiness that was present in your life at Williams College.  Maybe on the highway, you will hear the voice that Jacob heard:

 

“Remember, I am with you: I will protect you wherever you go and will bring you back to this land.”  [28:15]    

 

And maybe you can go Jacob one better, 

vzv ouenc vuvh ah ift

I know God was, and is in this place.  Be present to this Presence.