My little seminary is having its 15 minutes of fame. Austin Presbyterian Theological Seminary is a small place, but it has a big influence. I’ve found myself reflecting on that this week.
Last Tuesday, James Talarico was elected to be the next U.S. Senator from Texas. At age 37, he’ll be the youngest sitting senator when he takes office, and he’s already made a significant impact on state politics. His speeches have inspired many people, and I’ve especially noticed folks sharing his victory speech, in which he called for a different style of politics.
James Talarico has been a student at the same seminary where I received my degree. It was fun to see people sharing the congratulatory post that the seminary published after his win. But as I’ve watched him speak, I’ve especially enjoyed recognizing the wisdom of professors I’ve learned from, too.
When he talks about his faith, and when he casts a vision for change without explicitly using faith language, I hear echoes of people I know very well. Their wisdom shows up in my life, too. I’ve recognized familiar ways of framing belonging, community, and inclusion. These ideas are certainly expressed in ways that are uniquely his own, but I can also hear the voices of people who taught us both. Their influence has traveled into many different lives and different settings, taking on new expressions along the way.
And I suspect this happens in our lives more often than we realize. This particular example just happens to be unfolding on a national stage.
Have you ever met someone and recognized that you’ve been loved or influenced by some of the same people? Or have you ever connected two people from entirely different parts of your life, only to discover that they share language, values, or ways of understanding the world?
There’s something remarkable about recognizing the influence of people we know and love in someone we’ve never met. The reach of our relationships extends far beyond what we can see.
