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.
Creation and Redemption
Kelmadis Pérez Rivera
Kelmadis has served in various ministries, including over 30 years as a Bible teacher, and has also been a committed leader in environmental causes through organizations such as Ciudadana Botánica and Para la Naturaleza, groups involved with reforestation and protection of Puerto Rico’s fragile ecosystems.
This meditation highlights God's presence in creation and our responsibility to care for it.
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.
A Journey of Surrender and Obedience
Dr. Abson Joseph
Dr. Joseph currently serves as Vice President for Academic Services at Bethel University, and previously held roles as the Vice President for Academic Affairs and Professor of New Testament at Wesley Seminary, Indiana Wesleyan University.
This meditation reflects on Jesus's journey of surrender and obedience during Holy Week, encouraging Christians to trust God's will.
Immigration and Lament: Honesty in Suffering (Luke 18:23-25)
Dr. Robert Chao Romero
Dr. Romero is a historian and professor of Chicana/o Studies and Asian American Studies at UCLA. He is also an immigration attorney and ordained minister and works to engage students and the Church in issues of race, social justice, and Christianity.
This meditation reflects on the passage from Luke 18:23-25, using it as a lens to reconcile the current events and emotions we are experiencing in our world today.