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.
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.
Welcoming Jesus
Dr. Eric Barreto
Dr. Barreto is a Baptist minister and New Testament scholar, serving as the Frederick and Margaret L. Weyerhaeuser Associate Professor of New Testament at Princeton Seminary and a leader in the Hispanic Theological Initiative.
This meditation encourages fresh perspectives on Advent and Christmas stories, inviting new interpretations of Jesus's birth.