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.
Anticipating Pentecost with Mary
Joseph E. Gorra
Joseph E. Gorra is a frequent contributor to Biola University’s Lent and Advent devotional projects. His additional writings have also appeared on ChristianityToday.com, VeritasLifeCenter.org, and in the Journal of Spiritual Formation & Soul Care.
This meditation explores positioning ourselves to receive the Holy Spirit and embrace God’s “new beginnings,” following Mary’s example.
When the Spirit Repairs What Babel Destroyed
Rev. Dr. Rafael Lemos Viana
Rev. Viana is a Brazilian pastor, church planter, life coach, and theological educator serving immigrant communities in Georgia through the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.). He holds a Doctor of Ministry degree that focuses on pastoral burnout and resilience among Latino/a immigrant pastors.
This mediation explains how Pentecost reverses Babel's division, uniting people through the Spirit's healing power.
What Does Pentecost Mean to You?
Wilson Fernandes, Jr.
Junior, originally from Brazil, is a worship leader in his local church. He currently works as the IT specialist for the Gonzalez Center and AETH.
This meditation defines Pentecost as a profound personal experience in which God is revealed in adversity and community.