SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA RESEARCH LODGE F&AM
DWELLING IN UNITY
By R.W. Ardell G. Gould, Grand Chaplain, Summer
1995 Empire State (New York) Mason
In Psalm 133, there are words that we, as
Masons. Are very familiar with. They are as follows:
Behold, how good and pleasant it is when brothers dwell in unity! It is like precious
oil upon the head, running down upon the beard, upon the beard of Aaron running
down on the collar of his robes! It is like the dew of Hermon, which falls on the
mountains of Zion. For there the Lord commanded
the blessing, life for evermore.
I wonder if we are able to catch all that the
writer is trying to impart! These are words that are filled with
deep meaning. They are words that need to be heard in the society
in which we live. Today our society and our world are in
desperate need of the message that is given in these three short
verses. The profound message that is here, should go deep within
the inner recesses of our being and help us to come to a better
understanding of what unity is all about.
The Psalmist begins with a very simple
statement: "Behold, how good and pleasant it is when
brothers dwell in unity!" As we begin, let it be understood
that when the Psalmist uses the word "brothers," we
must insert "sisters," or any combination where two or
three are involved. And, we will want to explore the implications
when we expand this idea to encompass the world.
Can we bring ourselves to experience what the
Psalmist is talking? Do you know the feeling of what life is like
when there is harmony, understanding and acceptance?
In far too many cases, this is the exception,
rather than the norm. Most of the time our experience in life
tends to be a life where there is everything but harmony. Our
fast pace more or less demands that we seek to achieve or climb a
ladder. When this becomes the norm in life, there are too many
occasions when we do not take the time to understand what others
are thinking or feeling. We are always looking over our shoulder
wondering who is creeping up to us, trying to bypass us, or
perhaps trying to push us out of line for something we seek.
It is important that, when we come to this
point in life, that we take time to know who we are and what we
are. We must examine our lives and feel the goodness that can be
there when all is harmonious. I am sure there have been times in
our lives when we have known this feeling of tranquillity, peace
or calm. Perhaps it has come when the kids are finally in bed and
settled down. All is quiet, and for a few moments you can sit
back and enjoy the peace of life. The Psalmist is saying that it
is this kind of feeling that is great and should be the norm of
our lives. How good and pleasant it is when we can dwell in
unity.
In my ministry, I have witnessed all too often
that when people disagree on issues, it is not just a difference
of opinion, but it is like a wedge that separates and divides.
People state their side of an issue and then immediately shut off
their hearing as to what the other person is trying to say. There
does not seem to be a willingness to try to hear what the other
person has to say. Nor, is there an effort made to try to find a
way wherein things can be worked out in agreement between the
parties. Somehow there must come that moment when we take the
initiative, and become the person who is willing to listen and
seek to dwell in unity.
We can begin the practice of living together in
unity within our own families. Then we can move to other areas of
our lives. We are living in a time when there is great discord in
our society. People are running here and there doing their own
thing, not mindful of others, and bound and determined to be
there first. Somehow, there must come that moment when people
begin to stop and realize that others are involved. Someone needs
to put forth those expressions of life that indicate that
dwellling in unity produces far better feelings than can
otherwise be experienced.
Are we willing to take that risk, and begin the
process of turning things around? Each of us has the ability to
be that one person to step forth and begin to truly dwell in
unity. If we seek to give expression to dwelling in unity, in all
affects of our lives, it will make a profound impact upon those
around us. It will reach out into the far corners of the earth.
-- Behold, how good and pleasant it is when we
dwell together in unity --