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.
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.
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 Coming of Christ, the Clash of Civilizations
Daniel Montañez
Daniel is a PhD candidate at Boston University researching theological ethics, Latino/a theology, and immigration.
This meditation highlights Día de Los Reyes, celebrating Jesus' manifestation and the contrast between God's loving kingdom and worldly power, emphasizing humility.
On Advent and Epiphany
Dr. Alexandra Zareth
Rev. Dr. Zareth, PC(USA), is a certified chaplain and psychotherapist who specializes in interpersonal and trauma therapy.
This mediation illustrates how Christ’s birth brings hope in the most unexpected places.