Welcome to the Friends’ Meditation Collection
Here you will find all of the monthly meditations we’ve sent to the Friends of the Center since the beginning of the program. Our hope is that this page will make it easy for you to refer back to these thought-provoking, short reflections written by a diverse community of contributors, including pastoral leaders, theologians, scholars, graduate students, and faithful members active in their churches and communities.
In addition to the chronological ordering of the meditations, you can search by the seasons of the liturgical calendar through the buttons to the right.
Thomas: A Villain of Faith or Hero of Doubt?
Dr. Fernando Cascante
Dr. Cascante, who holds advanced degrees in Christian Education and former director of the Justo and Catherine González Resource Center, has also held the role of Executive Director of AETH and currently serves as a senior consultant with the Calvin Institute of Christian Worship.
This meditation is about Thomas, the ‘doubting disciple,’ shows that doubt is crucial for a deeper, more practical faith.
Roots and Horizons: Living Lent from the Cross with the Hope of Resurrection
Dr. Jessica Lugo Meléndez
Dr. Lugo serves as Executive Director of the Association for Hispanic Theological Education (AETH), teaches theology and business, and is an ordained American Baptist minister committed to leadership formation and service.
This meditation is about Lent's call to embrace the cross and resurrection's transformative hope.
Lent Clarifies Christian Identity
Dr. Kathleen O’Connor
Dr. O’Connor holds the William Marcellus McPheeters Professor of Old Testament Emerita at Columbia Theological Seminary, where she served on the faculty for decades.
This meditation clarifies Christian identity through Lent's call to love and mercy, reflecting Jesus's example.
The Roots of Our Lenten Season
Dr. Catherine G. González
Dr. González is an historian, theologian, and ordained Presbyterian minister. She retired from Columbia Theological Seminary as Professor Emerita of Church History.
This meditation traces the historical development of Lent and encourages reflection on the meaning of baptism and discipleship.