Alive in Christ: Theme for the 2022-23 Academic Year

By: Rev. Dr. Jeffrey Leininger, University Pastor

Every year Concordia-Chicago’s academic community gathers under a single scripture passage and theme that unites us as a Christian institution. This year’s theme of “Alive in Christ” from Galatians 2:20, though a positive and uplifting message, serves also as a reminder that every person has some dying to do. Through baptism, we drown our old selves, putting to death the ways of darkness. In daily repentance—turning back to God—we crucify our sinful selves. To be “Alive in Christ” by implication means to be dead to something else. We die to a life curved in upon self and selfindulgence and self-seeking ways. By the Holy Spirit through the power of the gospel, however, a new person daily arises to love and serve our neighbor in forgiveness and new life. In a profound mystery, the Living Christ himself—the crucified, risen and ascended Lord—is active within us for the life of the world.

The beautiful hymn “Jesus, Thy Boundless Love for Me” (Lutheran Service Book 683) conveys in a poetic prayer what St. Paul recorded in Galatians 2:20: “Oh, may Thy love possess me whole, / My joy, my treasure, and my crown!” (stz. 3). Dr. Maurice Boyer, professor of music, has written for us a moving setting of this hymn, dedicating it to his parents, Gerald († 2022) and Eleanor Boyer. Premiered on their 57th wedding anniversary, we are pleased to hear it sung throughout our 159th academic year as a university “Alive in Christ.”