Spring 2025
welcome
2025 Lent Devotional Guide
The Office of the Chaplain & Religious Life at SMU is excited to provide the 2025 Lent Devotional Guide to the SMU community. For Christians across the world, Lent is a season of reflection and confession that ends in the celebration of Easter It provides an opportunity to pause, to repent, to pray, and to worship together in community. As we enter this sacred season of the year, we hope this guide will be a reflective tool for the SMU community.
Given the wide range of Christian traditions found at SMU, this guide is meant to be a collective expression of a shared faith You will find daily devotionals written by students, staff, and faculty from across the university, representing a variety of Christian traditions. Allow their words to guide you in prayer and reflection over the next several weeks. Regardless of where you find yourself in this season, we hope you find words that both encourage and challenge you.
This guide is an ecumenical collaboration from across the university No one viewpoint is meant to be representative of all Christians or traditions Instead, we hope it is representative of the wide story that God is telling amongst our communities. If you have questions or want to get connected with a specific community on campus, please reach out to chaplain@smu.edu.
Using the Guide
This guide contains daily devotionals around our theme for the year: Reflections from the Hilltop We take a dive into Jesus’s message on the mountainside found in Luke chapter 6 While many people are familiar with this “Sermon on the Mount,” this Lenten season, we challenge you to bring new eyes to see and ears to hear. Throughout this series of lessons, Jesus will challenge us to put our faith into action by transforming how we live and interact with the world around us. Our contributors from SMU’s Hilltop share their reflections of this mountainside sermon
The guide is broken up into 7 weeks At the beginning of each week, we introduce a scripture passage of the week along with a specific theme. Each devotional for a week will reflect on this theme. Each devotional will close with a prayer for the week. While the guide is broken down into specific days and themes, there is no prescribed way to use it Allow the Holy Spirit to guide you in prayer and reflection this season of Lent and allow this guide to be a simple tool along the way
Grace and peace to all during Lent 2025. Let’s reflect together.
Week One: Meeting at the Mountainside
Passage of the Week: Luke 6:12-19
(12) Now during those days he went out to the mountain to pray, and he spent the night in prayer to God. (13) And when day came, he called his disciples and chose twelve of them, whom he also named apostles: (14) Simon, whom he named Peter, and his brother Andrew, and James, and John, and Philip, and Bartholomew, (15) and Matthew, and Thomas, and James son of Alphaeus, and Simon, who was called the Zealot, (16) and Judas son of James, and Judas Iscariot, who became a traitor.
(17) He came down with them and stood on a level place with a great crowd of his disciples and a great multitude of people from all Judea, Jerusalem, and the coast of Tyre and Sidon. (18) They had come to hear him and to be healed of their diseases, and those who were troubled with unclean spirits were cured. (19) And everyone in the crowd was trying to touch him, for power came out from him and healed all of them.
Come one, call all to see Jesus. You don’t want to miss this once in a lifetime opportunity. His newly selected disciples will be there and people from near and far will be there. Come to the mountainside to hear from this miraculous teacher!
The first verses of our exploration of Chapter 6 are an invitation to join Jesus and learn Over the next 6 weeks we will hear a series of lessons from Jesus Some lessons will be familiar, some we will have forgotten, but all will be easier said than done. Will you have ears to hear? As Jesus prepares himself, his disciples, and the crowd in these verses, how have you prepared to experience God in this season of Lent? What lessons might you need to receive? What does it look like for you to join Jesus along the mountainside?
Prayer of the Week: Prepare the way, oh God. Prepare my heart, mind, and soul to have eyes to see and ears to hear In the weeks ahead, bring your healing into my life, my community, and the world Please, teach me on the mountainside
Wednesday: March 5th
In this week’s reading, “Jesus went out to the mountain to pray” before calling his disciples. As we enter into this Lenten season, you are invited into a regular prayer practice – walking the Labyrinth.
The Habito Labyrinth at Perkins School of Theology (located between Selecman and Prothro Halls) is accessible 24 hours a day You can walk the labyrinth any time or, during Lent, you can join with others at 8:00a on Tuesdays for personal prayer and group reflection.
Walking the labyrinth is an act of prayer. In the Middle Ages, labyrinth designs were incorporated into the floor of cathedrals, to offer a symbolic practice of Pilgrimage for Christians who could not make the journey to the Holy Land The Labyrinth pattern is a meandering, rather than a maze There are no dead ends But, the path, like life sometimes, takes some twist and turns as we make our way to the Center.
There is no right or wrong way to walk the labyrinth. One common guide for praying the labyrinth is:
Standing at the opening, before you enter, pause and open yourself to what God will offer
As you walk to toward the Center, RELEASE to God what is on your heart, what is weighing you down
At the Center, REST in God’s presence. Stay as long as you like. There is no need to hurry Even if others are walking or resting at the same time, the space is yours to rest in God’s presence and RECEIVE God’s love
As you walk out from the Center, RECOMMIT to walking in the world as a faithful disciple of Christ.
Standing back at the opening, pause and offer gratitude for this labyrinth walk.
On Tuesdays we will pray using a variety of guiding prompts I hope to see you there1 In this Lenten season, let us intentionally prepare our hearts for the twists and turns of Holy Week and Easter through the spiritual discipline of prayer, journeying to the Center to rest in the presence of God.
Rev. Lisa Garvin Chaplain & Minister to the University
Prepare the way, oh God Prepare my heart, mind, and soul to have eyes to see and ears to hear. In the weeks ahead, bring your healing into my life, my community, and the world. Please, teach me on the mountainside.
Thursday: March 6th
One of the many aspects I love about Jesus is that He demonstrated the best way to live a human life, while also being the Savior of the world. Yes, He performed miracles and rose from the dead. He also slept, ate, laughed, made friends, went to dinner parties, and had healthy boundaries. His life gives us an example of what life on earth can and should look like
In Luke 6:12 it tells us, “Jesus went out to a mountainside to pray, and spent the night praying to God.” Jesus sacrificed a night of sleep to commune with His Father, where He received clarity and vision for the days ahead. He then gathered His close followers, chose the twelve, and shared the Sermon on the Mount with the large crowd who had traveled from many different places to experience Him
What do we need to give up in order to focus on God this season? How do we need to prepare room in our hearts and lives for what He wants to do in and through us? Lent offers people an opportunity to “give up” something, but we also need to place life-giving practices back in that bring us closer to our Savior.
Jesus didn’t just give up sleep to worry; He wasn’t up all night tossing and turning like we often do. He stayed awake because He was conversing with His Father, receiving direction and clarity on His purposes on earth. He began the morning with a clear calling, and He knew the specific individuals who were to come right alongside Him as He fulfilled that call. He received His portion from God for that day and instructed many, including us now, with His words from the mount I encourage you to consider how God might be inviting you to make space in your life for Him today.
Kallie Terrana Engage Dallas Program Specialist
Prepare the way, oh God. Prepare my heart, mind, and soul to have eyes to see and ears to hear. In the weeks ahead, bring your healing into my life, my community, and the world Please, teach me on the mountainside
Friday: March 7th
On Fridays throughout Lent, we invite you to learn about and practice a spiritual discipline. Some of these practices might be familiar to you, others will be new experiences. Either way, we hope these disciplines will be an opportunity for you to dive deeper into your faith life The season of Lent invites us to refocus and examine our lives Each practice will invite you to do the same in a variety of ways Feel free to come back to these practices throughout the season of Lent and continue to encounter God throughout this journey.
the practice of paying attention
In her book, An Altar in the World, Barbara Brown Taylor reflects on spiritual practices that we can incorporate into everyday life In her chapter entitled, “The Practice of Paying Attention,” Taylor suggests the importance of practicing reverence for the world around you. Reverence is the recognition of something greater than self something that is beyond your control and understanding. It is easy to view our lives as the center of the story Yet, we are one line in the grand story God is shaping in the world To practice paying attention, to practice reverence, is “as simple as looking twice at people and things you might just easily ignore.” This week, find a space to stop and sit for 20 minutes or so and simply notice what you see. Reflect on your surroundings. Pay attention to the people that pass you by. Recall that each of them is made by God, loved by God, and sustained by God Offer a prayer for all that you notice and thank God that your story is being told amidst the story that God is telling
Prepare the way, oh God. Prepare my heart, mind, and soul to have eyes to see and ears to hear. In the weeks ahead, bring your healing into my life, my community, and the world. Please, teach me on the mountainside.
Saturday: March 8th
On Saturdays throughout Lent, you are invited to participate in a guided prayer practice. Find a quiet place to pause, be still, and read through this prayer. Repeat the prayer or any part of the prayer as many times as you'd like.
Opening Invocation (Adapted from Psalm 23)
Holy God, you are my shepherd Teach me not to want Help me lie in green pastures. Lead me to still waters. Restore my soul during this season of Lent. Help me to have eyes to see and ears to hear you on this Lenten journey. Teach me what it means to dwell in the house of the Lord. Amen.
John 14:15-16
If you love me, you will keep my commandments And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Advocate, to be with you forever. This is the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it neither sees him or knows him. You know him, because he abides with you, and he will be in you.
John 15:4-5
Remain in me, as I also remain in you No branch can bear fruit by itself; it must remain in the vine. Neither can you bear fruit unless you remain in me. I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing.
Reread the passages above How are you abiding with God in this season of Lent? What are the lessons that you need to learn in this journey? Take a few moments to in silence or prayer.
Prayer for Others
Who is on your mind today? Lift them up to God
The Lord's Prayer
Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name, your kingdom come, your will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Give us today our daily bread. And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors. And lead us not into temptation but deliver us from evil For yours is the kingdom, the power, and the glory forever and ever Amen
Prayer of the Week
Prepare the way, oh God. Prepare my heart, mind, and soul to have eyes to see and ears to hear. In the weeks ahead, bring your healing into my life, my community, and the world. Please, teach me on the mountainside.
Week Two: Blessings
Passage of the Week: Luke 6:20-23
(20) Then he looked up at his disciples and said:
“Blessed are you who are poor, for yours is the kingdom of God.
(21) “Blessed are you who are hungry now, for you will be filled.
“Blessed are you who weep now, for you will laugh.
(22) “Blessed are you when people hate you and when they exclude you, revile you, and defame you on account of the Son of Man. (23) Rejoice on that day and leap for joy, for surely your reward is great in heaven, for that is how their ancestors treated the prophets.
“Blessed are you!” Jesus kicks off his lessons on a high note For those of you familiar with the Gospel of Matthew, you might be thinking, “haven’t I read something like this before?” Don’t worry you aren’t seeing double. A similar list often referred to as the Beatitudes can be found over in Matthew 5:2-12, each of these lists have some important differences. We encourage you to compare the two at some point, but for now we will focus on our list at hand
This series of “Blessed are you” statements is not a mere list of encouragements to the gather crowd; these statements are also a reflection of what God’s redemptive work through Jesus will look like in the world. God is bringing a reversal of fortunes for the poor, hungry, sad, and excluded. Jesus is setting the vision for the outcome of his ministry Join us this week as we consider this vision and these blessings What might they have to teach us about the Kingdom of God, God’s work in the world, or even how we view ourselves?
Prayer of the Week
God, bring your Kingdom to Earth now The poor, hungry, sad, and hated cry out day and night, and your blessings seem far off Bring your love and justice Yet, teach us to live out these Kingdom values so that we might bring your promised hope to one another.
monday: March 11th
I was sitting across the table from a stranger I met in an airport. After striking up a conversation, he asked me, “Carlie, what is your goal in life?”
We had previously discussed my faith in Jesus Christ, and how my relationship with Him shapes everything I do and believe. So, we agreed that making Christ known was THE given goal, thus, letting that shape my answer, but not BE the answer, he asked this complicated yet simple question again I have goals, plenty of them, but I’ve never thought about what my life’s mission was
“I want to be happy!” I told him.
He thought about my answer, looked at me kindly, and said, “Carlie, you aren’t always going to be happy, that’s a fact. But, there is always something to be grateful for.”
I think I stared at him for at least 10 long seconds Why was this obvious truth something I reserved for the Thanksgiving table?
Chasing a feeling is an exhausting pursuit. Romans 12 tells us to “…be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is his good, pleasing and perfect will ”
That is, I cannot control my feelings, but a renewed mind, constantly finding something to be grateful mindset IS possible!
Gratitude over contentment is how I live my life now, in plenty and in need The people who God blesses in the beatitudes are not those who society elevates, but they are those who can’t lose anything because GOD is their everything. There is always something to be grateful for
I am not saying this because I am in need, for I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want I can do all this through him who gives me strength ”
Carlie Lara Wallace Class of 2024
God, bring your Kingdom to Earth now. The poor, hungry, sad, and hated cry out day and night, and your blessings seem far off Bring your love and justice Yet, teach us to live out these Kingdom values so that we might bring your promised hope to one another.
tuesday: march 12th
"Blessed are you now...for you will be..."
Jesus' opening blessing in Luke 6 brim with hope and promise for those who are suffering. But that hope has a specific vantage point: the horizon of tomorrow.
Notably, Jesus has words for "today" too. In Luke 12:22-31, Jesus enjoins those listening not to worry. He invites them to look upon the birds and flowers, to consider that just as they find their sustenance for today, so too will those hearing Jesus' words
Interleaved, these exhortations come to us:"Don't worry about today, and hope for tomorrow!"
I often wonder how early Jesus Followers would have understood these words The Roman Empire was no stranger to sharp wealth and status inequality, and many Jesus Followers struggled at the lowest rungs of society. Did they find these words encouraging? Did such exhortations lift their spirits?
I suspect that for many they likely did. After all, Jesus was not speaking to such crowds, so much as he was speaking with and alongside them He was likely not making a naive statement dismissing the stress that pressed upon the crowds that came to hear him. Rather, we can see in this a challenge that, in spite of poverty, in spite of hunger, in spite of sadness, in spite of hate, we focus not on everything that would pull us down. A challenge to fix our eyes on the good that we have lest we collapse underneath the burden of anxiety.
Stress has a way of eclipsing all that is good, robbing us of the beauty that abounds even in difficult times. Jesus' opening blessings are one way of pushing back on that, reminding us that the sun is still there behind the clouds, waiting to burst forth and bring all the color that attends the light.
Dr. Jon Carman Interfaith Coordinator
God, bring your Kingdom to Earth now The poor, hungry, sad, and hated cry out day and night, and your blessings seem far off Bring your love and justice Yet, teach us to live out these Kingdom values so that we might bring your promised hope to one another.
wednesday: march 13th
I am so glad to contribute to another one of these OCRL devotional projects. I always like to pick spicy passages Like when God tells us to abandon our side hustles in instituting the Sabbath; the prophet Habakkuk says we are better off when tough things happen to us; and now Jesus tells us we are blessed when we are poor, hungry, sad, or persecuted. What the heck? Well, as a theology student, I am quite convinced that the best theology and the strongest faith come when we face the hardest questions head-on.
I think what Jesus wants to tell us by instituting these blessings and their corresponding woes… is that “blessed people” can see things that others can’t. Indeed, “the blessed” is a term that often refers to the Communion of Saints, those who have finished their earthly journeys and now see God face-to-face. But not only the saints at rest can be blessed. Sometimes, we earthly wayfarers get glimpses of God doing God’s most important work, and Jesus says that’s when we are blessed
Blessed people have a different way of looking at the world. They are not bothered by the same silly things that bother us, impressed by what impresses us, or influenced by what influences us. Blessed people are resolutely confident in God’s wisdom, power, and faithfulness. Blessed people know that “all things work together for the good of those who love God” (Romans 8:28), and they don’t toss those words around lightly
But the most wonderful thing about blessed people is what they do with their blessedness. Blessed people know that faith produces hope and hope produces charity. They take their resolute confidence in God, allow it to brighten up their worldview, and then work to share that good news with their neighbors The blessed life isn’t about being comfortable enough in God to kick back and abandon your concern for the world. To the contrary, the blessed life is about working in the Spirit to bring others a glimpse of heaven on earth.
So the next time someone tells you to “have a blessed day,” think twice about what it means, and then do it!
Rev. Tripp Gulledge Perkins Class of 2023 & 2025
God, bring your Kingdom to Earth now. The poor, hungry, sad, and hated cry out day and night, and your blessings seem far off. Bring your love and justice. Yet, teach us to live out these Kingdom values so that we might bring your promised hope to one another
thursday: march 14th
Have you ever heard the joke about punctuation killing grandma? If not, it goes something like this: Punctuation is important because there is a big difference between the phrase “Let’s eat Grandma” and “Let’s eat, Grandma.” That comma in the second phrase is doing a lot of heavy lifting as the lack of it in the first has some scary implications. Likewise, the removal of a few words in our passage for this week carries some profound implications.
The author of Luke writes, “Blessed are the poor ” However, Matthew’s account of Jesus’s sermon adds an additional phrase. Matthew writes, “Blessed are the poor in spirit.” Like our comma from our grandma joke above, the words “poor in spirit” carry with them some hefty implications when we look at these two similar passages. Why are there differences? Is one the better version compared to the other? While we could spend a semester’s worth of academic work diving into the theological and textual variances between the gospels of Matthew and Luke, I will suggest at this point that the presence of both in our Scripture is more important than the fact they are different.
As someone who has never lived in poverty or wondered where their next meal is coming from, the account of blessings found in the Matthew feels much more relatable to me In fact, the blessings in Luke are more likely to make me feel uncertain or uncomfortable. Do I miss out on God’s blessings if I’m not poor, hungry, sad, or reviled? Perhaps I’m not asking the right question. Perhaps Luke’s point is that it’s not about whether or not that I’m blessed. Instead, Luke’s omission of these words emphasizes the nature of God’s work in the world. Justice will come and the world will be redeemed
Because I more readily gravitate to the words in Matthew-which have an important emphasis in their own right-I need the words of Luke to teach me about the Kingdom of God. I need them to remind me that wealth, status, and power are not markers of God’s work. Jesus’s words might create discomfort in me, but I need that discomfort to draw me closer to God, to give me Hope that justice will be restored As we journey through Lent, I’m challenged hear God’s words for me-both the ones that are present and the ones that are not.
Kaleb Loomis Associate Chaplain
God, bring your Kingdom to Earth now The poor, hungry, sad, and hated cry out day and night, and your blessings seem far off. Bring your love and justice. Yet, teach us to live out these Kingdom values so that we might bring your promised hope to one another.
friday: March 15th
On Fridays throughout Lent, we invite you to learn about and practice a spiritual discipline. Some of these practices might be familiar to you, others will be new experiences. Either way, we hope these disciplines will be an opportunity for you to dive deeper into your faith life The season of Lent invites us to refocus and examine our lives Each practice will invite you to do the same in a variety of ways Feel free to come back to these practices throughout the season of Lent and continue to encounter God throughout this journey.
daily examen
The Daily Examen is a prayer practice credited to St. Ignatius of Loyola. In order to grow in awareness of how God was present in his life, St. Ignatius reflected at the end of the day on his experiences throughout the day using a five-step reflection. Each step is listed below Try spending a week using this reflection before you go to bed and notice how you see God showing up throughout your daily life
Consider where you saw God present in your day (and/or potentially where you perceived God to be absent). Thank God for those instances of daily communion.
2
1. Examine your thoughts, feelings, and actions How do they affect where you see God and where you do not
3
Select one feature of your day-either a place you saw God or a reason you did not see God.
Spend a few moments in prayer about this feature.
5.
4. Finally, pray for the next day that you would see God wherever God is.
God, bring your Kingdom to Earth now. The poor, hungry, sad, and hated cry out day and night, and your blessings seem far off Bring your love and justice Yet, teach us to live out these Kingdom values so that we might bring your promised hope to one another
saturday: march 16th
On Saturdays throughout Lent, you are invited to participate in a guided prayer practice. Find a quiet place to pause, be still, and read through this prayer. Repeat the prayer or any part of the prayer as many times as you'd like.
Opening Invocation (Adapted from Psalm 23)
Holy God, you are my shepherd Teach me not to want Help me lie in green pastures. Lead me to still waters. Restore my soul during this season of Lent. Help me to have eyes to see and ears to hear you on this Lenten journey. Teach me what it means to dwell in the house of the Lord. Amen.
John 14:15-16
If you love me, you will keep my commandments And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Advocate, to be with you forever. This is the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it neither sees him or knows him. You know him, because he abides with you, and he will be in you.
John 15:4-5
Remain in me, as I also remain in you No branch can bear fruit by itself; it must remain in the vine. Neither can you bear fruit unless you remain in me. I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing.
Reread the passages above How are you abiding with God in this season of Lent? What are the lessons that you need to learn in this journey? Take a few moments to in silence or prayer.
Prayer for Others
Who is on your mind today? Lift them up to God
The Lord's Prayer
Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name, your kingdom come, your will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Give us today our daily bread. And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors. And lead us not into temptation but deliver us from evil For yours is the kingdom, the power, and the glory forever and ever Amen
Prayer of the Week
God, bring your Kingdom to Earth now. The poor, hungry, sad, and hated cry out day and night, and your blessings seem far off. Bring your love and justice. Yet, teach us to live out these Kingdom values so that we might bring your promised hope to one another
Week Three: and Woes
Passage of the Week: Luke 6:24-26
(24) “But woe to you who are rich, for you have received your consolation.
(25) “Woe to you who are full now, for you will be hungry. “Woe to you who are laughing now, for you will mourn and weep.
(26) “Woe to you when all speak well of you, for that is how their ancestors treated the false prophets.
While most of us would be happy to stop after Jesus’s joyous blessings, his message doesn’t end there. In fact, the blessings cannot be read without the woes in this sermon by the mountainside. As you might notice, the list of woes is an inverse of the list of blessings Both lists work in conjunction together to reiterate Jesus’s message of God’s redemptive work in the world Sometimes, it is easy for us to look at the list of blessings, identify our own stories, and look forward to the promised blessings. It is harder for us to see ourselves in this list of woes. However, it would be fair to suspect that we might fall in this group more than we’d like.
What would it look like if Jesus was speaking directly to us? What do these woes have to teach us about the Kingdom of God, God’s work in the World, or how we might view ourselves? What might this list be challenging us to do or how to live now?
Prayer of the Week
Forgive me Lord for I have sinned Too often, it is easy for me to confuse wealth, power, and success as the final goals life. I fail to bring the Kingdom of Heaven to earth time and time again. Yet, you offer grace along every step. Bring your kingdom, share your grace, and teach me to love as you have loved.
monday: march 17th
Jesus is now famous in Israel and beyond for his miraculous works and powerful teaching. Many are following him and becoming his disciples, and he chooses twelve to be his apostles. After this, a great crowd of Jews and non-Jews gather to hear him teach. They also come to be cured of diseases and unclean spirits Jesus then looks at his disciples and calls them “blessed” for embracing a life of hardship & humility as they follow him. They are poor, hungry, weeping, & hated now, but they will receive the Kingdom of God. However, Jesus delivers a warning to those who choose the pleasures & riches of life over him Read the passage for the week & spend 3-5 minutes making notes on what you see
Consider the following questions:
1 In Luke 12:34, Jesus tells his disciples, “For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.” Think about where your heart is. Is it with Jesus or the world? Think about how you spend your time, energy, & resources. How much do you spend on yourself? How much do you spend on Jesus?
3
Jesus warned in Mark 4:19 that the “cares of the world” and “deceitfulness of riches” can be a hindrance to hearing & obeying his word. Ask God how wealth, comfort, & pleasure play a role in your life. Do they keep you from following Jesus faithfully? How so?
2 The Kingdom of God brings good news! One day, Christ will return to establish his perfect reign on the earth But Jesus warns us that if we choose to live for luxury, fame, & worldly pleasure, we will not enter his Kingdom. If you struggle to prioritize Christ in your life, set a goal for yourself! What can you practically do this week to prioritize Jesus and live for his kingdom? An example could be attending a Bible study, reading the Bible 20 minutes a day, or starting your morning with five minutes of prayer this week.
For now, I offer this closing prayer: God, you are awesome, holy, and perfect in every way. I realize that I often live for myself and not for you, but I want to serve you with my all Will you help me to “seek first” your Kingdom? Teach me to live as your Son, Jesus, who “came not to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many ” (Mark 10:45) I give you my time, energy, and resources Lord Jesus, today I am leaving behind my old way of life because it does not honor you. Help me to follow you with all my heart, soul, mind, & strength. And may all that I do be done for the glory of your Name Amen
Camden Reed Campus Minister
Intervarsity Christian Fellowship
God, bring your Kingdom to Earth now The poor, hungry, sad, and hated cry out day and night, and your blessings seem far off. Bring your love and justice. Yet, teach us to live out these Kingdom values so that we might bring your promised hope to one another.
wednesday: march 19th
Jesus came to earth “full of grace and truth.” Grace because his disciples are blessed through him and truth because he doesn’t hide the reality of life apart from him. Jesus is neither blessing nor cursing anyone here; he merely describes what serving him versus serving the world results in. Jesus’ words in v. 25 could be said to be shorthand for “Woe to you who are well fed now [because your existence revolves around this temporary life]”. This isn’t Jesus prophesying doom and punishment to worldly people but a loving father warning about the fruit of living such a life, warning about the “wages of sin”.
The world’s adoption of a life of sin has paid richly, abundantly in death. Just recently: global pandemic disruptes entire lives; Russia invades Ukraine; people on the internet spewing vitriol. I read two days ago about how a Hmong family, fleeing from communists in Vietnam around the 1980s, stumbled across a year-old baby trying to nurse from its dead mother. The family walked past it. Jesus is well aware of all these horrors and warns that those living by the world, for the world, should beware. The world makes them rich, well fed, and gives them a reason to laugh, but in one moment it repossesses all of this The people of the world, through death, have now been rejected by their world, and neither will they be accepted by God. The world giveth and the world taketh away.
Jesus, knowing all of these woes, and having mercy on us who have no other way out of the world’s exploitative grasp, came and offered an alternative way. This is why the disciples are blessed - because they are free from this cycle; because they have life.
Now that Jesus has shown me the Woeful way of the World, will I continue to follow it? Particularly with the time God gives me, will I use this gift for the world or Jesus? Just because time is abstract doesn’t mean it’s free from worldliness. If I choose to use it for the world, say selfish ambition, then I should remember the path I choose to take and the warning I choose to ignore.
“Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires 25 Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit ” Let me spend my time as Jesus did, blessing others.
Luke Voinov Spiritual Life Mentor Class of 2027
God, bring your Kingdom to Earth now. The poor, hungry, sad, and hated cry out day and night, and your blessings seem far off. Bring your love and justice. Yet, teach us to live out these Kingdom values so that we might bring your promised hope to one another
thursday: march 20th
SMU is one of the wealthiest universities in the nation, and yet, it often fails to properly serve those who live in the lower-income neighborhoods in South and West Dallas According to the January Point-In Time count, 3,718 individuals are experiencing homelessness in Dallas and Collin counties, and yet, not too many reinforcements are being initiated to help them.
It's rather easy to take advantage of all the luxuries SMU has to offer: Popular stores like Dior and Yves Delorme's are just a few minutes away from campus; spectators can watch football games inside a multi-million dollar end-zone complex; and students can ride in expensive party buses to go to sports games. Although there is nothing inherently wrong with these features, it does raise eyebrows when investments in amenities outweigh investments in helping the homeless community.
Criticisms against the rich’s pursuit of fulfilling their selfish desires appear all throughout the Bible In the passage, Jesus warns the rich of their impending doom, claiming that one day their “laugh[ter]” will turn into “mourn[ing]” and their “comfort” into pain. The rich–once praised by many on earth–will one day in Heaven face God’s wrath.
We as Christians, especially those of us with greater financial means, should be weary with how we use the financial blessings God has given us Insteading of using our money to fulfill our needs only, we should apportion some of it to assist those in need. And this act does not have to be extreme: giving to the homeless person sitting on the street or helping a peer pay for their school supplies are just a few of the kind acts we can demonstrate toward others. But if we refuse to prostate our hearts toward giving, we can end up experiencing similar woes
God, bring your Kingdom to Earth now The poor, hungry, sad, and hated cry out day and night, and your blessings seem far off Bring your love and justice Yet, teach us to live out these Kingdom values so that we might bring your promised hope to one another.
Taylor Good Class of 2027
friday: march 21st
On Fridays throughout Lent, we invite you to learn about and practice a spiritual discipline. Some of these practices might be familiar to you, others will be new experiences. Either way, we hope these disciplines will be an opportunity for you to dive deeper into your faith life The season of Lent invites us to refocus and examine our lives Each practice will invite you to do the same in a variety of ways Feel free to come back to these practices throughout the season of Lent and continue to encounter God throughout this journey.
Otherness meditation
In his book, Soulful Spirituality, Dr David Benner explores the practice of encountering “otherness” in the people He suggests that others being different from us is important because it provides both a threat and a curiosity It is threat because someone being different means our way of seeing the world is not the only way. More so, it challenges us to understand that our understandings of God might also be different. This “otherness” is also a curiosity because the presence of difference allows us the opportunity to grow We can let go of our self-absorption and learn from one another
Often, we fail to recognize the uniqueness and otherness of the people closest in our lives. While we often share much in common with these people, acknowledging the otherness in those cherished people present the opportunity to gain a new appreciation for them and to learn from them
Take a moment to consider someone you are especially close with (i e a family member, a friend, a partner, etc.). Reflect on the following questions. Feel free to take notes on your phone or using a pen or paper.
How do they see the world differently from you?
How do they act in the world differently from you?
What are the dreams and passions unique to them?
What are the differences that cause friction between you both?
As you reflect and take notes, pray over these differences and reflect on the following:
Which differences encourage you to grow?
Which difference do you appreciate the most in the other person?
How do the differences in this person help you understand or know God better?
Finally, spend a moment thanking God for this person and for all the ways that you are similar and different. Perhaps think of a way you can express how you appreciate their otherness in the next few weeks
saturday: march 22nd
On Saturdays throughout Lent, you are invited to participate in a guided prayer practice. Find a quiet place to pause, be still, and read through this prayer. Repeat the prayer or any part of the prayer as many times as you'd like.
Opening Invocation (Adapted from Psalm 23)
Holy God, you are my shepherd Teach me not to want Help me lie in green pastures. Lead me to still waters. Restore my soul during this season of Lent. Help me to have eyes to see and ears to hear you on this Lenten journey. Teach me what it means to dwell in the house of the Lord. Amen.
John 14:15-16
If you love me, you will keep my commandments And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Advocate, to be with you forever. This is the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it neither sees him or knows him. You know him, because he abides with you, and he will be in you.
John 15:4-5
Remain in me, as I also remain in you No branch can bear fruit by itself; it must remain in the vine. Neither can you bear fruit unless you remain in me. I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing.
Reread the passages above How are you abiding with God in this season of Lent? What are the lessons that you need to learn in this journey? Take a few moments to in silence or prayer.
Prayer for Others
Who is on your mind today? Lift them up to God
The Lord's Prayer
Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name, your kingdom come, your will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Give us today our daily bread. And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors. And lead us not into temptation but deliver us from evil For yours is the kingdom, the power, and the glory forever and ever Amen
Prayer of the Week
God, bring your Kingdom to Earth now. The poor, hungry, sad, and hated cry out day and night, and your blessings seem far off. Bring your love and justice. Yet, teach us to live out these Kingdom values so that we might bring your promised hope to one another
Week Four: To Love an Enemy
Passage of the Week: Luke 6:27-36
(27) “But I say to you who are listening: Love your enemies; do good to those who hate you; (28) bless those who curse you; pray for those who mistreat you. (29) If anyone strikes you on the cheek, offer the other also, and from anyone who takes away your coat do not withhold even your shirt. (30) Give to everyone who asks of you, and if anyone takes away what is yours, do not ask for it back again. (31) Do to others as you would have them do to you.
(32) “If you love those who love you, what credit is that to you? For even sinners love those who love them. (33) If you do good to those who do good to you, what credit is that to you? For even sinners do the same. (34) If you lend to those from whom you expect to receive payment, what credit is that to you? Even sinners lend to sinners, to receive as much again. (35) Instead, love your enemies, do good, and lend, expecting nothing in return. Your reward will be great, and you will be children of the Most High, for he himself is kind to the ungrateful and the wicked. (36) Be merciful, just as your Father is merciful.
Many Christians are familiar with Jesus’s instructions to love God and love our neighbors, but in this week’s passage, Jesus addresses what it means to specifically love those who it is most hard to love, our enemies. And who are these people? Jesus is clear. They are those who hate you, curse you, mistreat you, and so on the list goes. Jesus continues the clarity of his message by providing a list of practical examples of what it means to love your enemies And why should we love our enemies? Loving our enemies is in imitation of God: “Be merciful, just as your Father is merciful.” It’s safe to say this lesson is easier said than done.
What would it look like for you to love your enemies? With so much tension and conflict in our modern society, how might this call change our actions in our communities? What do we have to learn from Jesus’s message about the world and one another?
Prayer of the Week
Gracious God, I acknowledge my need for you today. I have not loved you with all my heart, mind, and strength. I have not loved my neighbor as myself. Lord have Mercy Christ have Mercy I acknowledge my sin, my need of you
monday: march 24th
In my opinion, this is one of the hardest commandments that Jesus gives. He didn’t just say, “Don’t treat them badly,” but rather commanded us to love our enemies (Matthew 5:44) To the average person, this is extremely challenging I also appreciate how Jesus, knowing that we might try to find loopholes in what it means to love our enemies, gave us more details and practical examples of what He expects almost as if to say, “You have no excuse now.” We are instructed to do good to them, bless them, and pray for them (Luke 6:27-28). This is already difficult, but it becomes even harder when those same people hate us, curse us, and mistreat us
Yet, everything we do is not contingent on how they have treated us but rather on what God requires of us. It’s almost as if God knew that if we waited for warm, fuzzy feelings before we chose to love and serve each other, there would be no love in the world. This has been the most challenging part for me loving people when, in my opinion, they do not “deserve” my kindness They have not proven themselves worthy of my sacrifice, nor have they shown any remorse If I consider them enemies, why should I love them?
Then, I am reminded of Romans 5:8: "But God demonstrates His own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us." Jesus loved us even when we did not deserve His sacrifice while we were rejecting Him, hating Him, and mistreating Him and His people He does not ask us to do something He was not willing to do Himself
This reminds me of the parable in Matthew 18:21-35, where a servant was forgiven an enormous debt by his master but refused to forgive someone who owed him much less In the same way, we were once enemies of God, yet He loved us to the point of death Who are we, then, to refuse to love our enemies? If Jesus could sacrifice His life for us while we were still sinners, surely, we can do something as “simple” as praying for our enemies, blessing them, and doing good to them.
Raissa Umwali Interfaith Fellow Class of 2025
Gracious God, I acknowledge my need for you today. I have not loved you with all my heart, mind, and strength. I have not loved my neighbor as myself. Lord have Mercy Christ have Mercy I acknowledge my sin, my need of you
tuesday: march 25th
How do I Love like Jesus?
When Jesus says to the disciples that they should “take up their cross and follow me”(Matt 16:24 NIV), it doesn’t paint a picture of ease or comfort His sermon on the mount demonstrates how difficult following in Jesus’ footsteps should be, and does so by introducing never before seen challenges as the desired standard, revealing how the easy way is rarely the full picture of what Christ desires. The Greek word for love in this passage is Agapaó (Agape), which is a specific love that is everlasting, unconditional and unchanging While this is impossible for us to do on our own, with God,“We love because He first loved us”(1 John 4:19 NIV)
What does this love look like? In verses 27-31, love demonstrates an overwhelming selflessness and a desire to see beyond mistakes and flaws. While we can learn a ton from the practical examples given, the biggest example we can follow is the perfect life that Jesus lived He ate with sinners (Matt 9:10-13), forgave adulterers (John 8:1-11), but most importantly, He “took up our pain and bore our suffering”(Isa. 53:4-6). The biggest act of love was God taking on human flesh, living in our fallen world, enduring the suffering and eventual crucifixion on the cross. He didn’t stop there though. His sacrifice for the sins of the world “reconciled us to himself”(2 Cor 5:18), so that we could experience His love constantly through relationship with Him While we will never be Jesus, it’s an exciting invitation to follow his example into a higher standard How can our love look different because of the example we follow?
Daniel Ewing Spiritual Life Mentor Class of 2027
Gracious God, I acknowledge my need for you today I have not loved you with all my heart, mind, and strength I have not loved my neighbor as myself Lord have Mercy Christ have Mercy I acknowledge my sin, my need of you
wednesday: march 26th
Among the many teachings Jesus taught, one was to love our enemies Loving your enemy for me means praying for them, showing kindness, forgiving them, doing something nice for them, and even checking up on them I find checking up on them, doing nice things for them, and showing kindness the hardest part, especially if we are enemies because of something they did. I persevere through these challenges by asking myself W.W.J.D (What Would Jesus Do)?
In Luke 6:27-28, Jesus says, "But to you who are listening I say: Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you.” Romans 12:20-21 says, “If your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink; for by so doing you will heap burning coals on his head. Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.” Matthew 5:44 says, "But I say to you, love your enemies, bless those who curse you, do good to those who hate you, and pray for those who spitefully use you and persecute you” These are a few examples of verses in the Bible that show us what to do
With so much tension and conflict in modern society, the call to love our enemies would spread so much love and peace to those who don’t have it between them. As Christians, extending that love to our enemies would encourage them to do the same to their own I have practiced loving my enemy by forgiving my ex-best friend for all the emotional harm she caused It took a lot for me to forgive her, but Jesus calls us to love our enemies by forgiving them. Looking back at the situation, forgiving her brought me more peace than when I still held on to whatever wrongs she did.
During this season of Lent, we can challenge ourselves to love our enemies by reaching out to them, checking up on them, and praying for them If it is someone we wronged, ask for forgiveness, and if it is someone that wronged us, extend forgiveness. Let us practice what Jesus taught us.
Joy Hope Mwenda Class of 2027
Gracious God, I acknowledge my need for you today. I have not loved you with all my heart, mind, and strength. I have not loved my neighbor as myself. Lord have Mercy. Christ have Mercy. I acknowledge my sin, my need of you.
thursday: march 27th
Have you ever been stuck behind an especially slow driver when you are in a hurry? Personally, my typical instant reaction is to grip my steering wheel hard, let out a frustrated sigh, and ask aloud, “what are you doing?!?”-as if the other driver could hear me. Whether I like it or not, this immediate gut reaction treats the other person as either incompetent or-in more extreme cases-as someone who is purposefully antagonistic to me. It is a reaction that places myself at the center of the story.
“Love your enemies” is hard commandment to follow, but at least Jesus gives us some practical examples to identify these enemies and appropriate steps to follow But what about those “enemies” that I often make of my own accord. Like the driver in my example above, we are prone to make enemies out of the smallest interactions. Too often, I live life as if I am the protagonist and all others are my antagonists: the clerk at the grocery store fumbling over their computer as I wait impatiently; the parent in the movie theater with the crying baby disturbing the climax of the movie; the solicitor on the street that interrupts my peaceful walk What does it look like to love “enemies” that I make time and time again? What do I do with the enemies that aren’t as obvious as the one that strikes me in the face?
Jesus’s command to love our enemies is not simply about taking a moral high ground on others Instead, it is about seeing others how God sees them and act accordingly “Be merciful, just as your Father is merciful ” I might suggest seeing these contrived antagonists might simply involve offering the benefit of the doubt. Rather than assuming this person is against me, maybe it has nothing to do with me: maybe this is the first day on the job for the clerk who had subpar training; maybe the parent in the theater had to bring their baby because their sitter canceled last minute; maybe the solicitor is doing their best to put food on the table Loving these enemies simply means offering them the grace to be as human as I am
To be clear, sometimes people are truly inconsiderate, cruel, and rude. Those people are especially hard to love, but for most others, it’s not always clear what their intentions are In a society plagued by tension, conflict, and assuming the worst in others, perhaps loving our enemies means asking a simple question: what might be going on in that person’s life right now? It is a question of grace and mercy, but one not often asked. The next time you get stuck behind a slow driver; ask yourself this question before yelling into your car window. Be merciful, just as your Father is.
Kaleb Loomis Associate Chaplain
Gracious God, I acknowledge my need for you today. I have not loved you with all my heart, mind, and strength. I have not loved my neighbor as myself. Lord have Mercy Christ have Mercy I acknowledge my sin, my need of you
friday: march 28th
On Fridays throughout Lent, we invite you to learn about and practice a spiritual discipline. Some of these practices might be familiar to you, others will be new experiences. Either way, we hope these disciplines will be an opportunity for you to dive deeper into your faith life The season of Lent invites us to refocus and examine our lives Each practice will invite you to do the same in a variety of ways Feel free to come back to these practices throughout the season of Lent and continue to encounter God throughout this journey.
Centering Prayer & the Jesus Prayer
There is an ancient form of Christian meditation called, “Centering Prayer ” During this exercise, practitioners typically spend several minutes in intentional meditative prayer focusing on a verse, a word that describes the character of God, or even simply their own breathing. The goal of the exercise is simply “to be.” In the midst of our hectic pace of life, centering prayer offers a moment to pause and open our hearts and minds to God.
One way of practicing Centering Prayer is called the “Jesus Prayer” which involves the repetition of the following prayer: “Jesus Christ, Son of the Living God, have mercy on me, a sinner. You can use each phrase to breathe in or out, following the natural rhythm of your breath.
Take a moment to practice centering prayer this weekend Find a quiet spot to sit with your back straight to ease your breathing Relax your body and sit in such a way that nothing will hurt, go numb, or be otherwise uncomfortable Then select a word or phrase that is meaningful for you. It could be a selection from this week’s passage, a word that reminds you from God or even the Jesus Prayer listed above.
Simply sit in silence for a few minutes focusing on your word or phrase It may help to follow the rhythm of your breathing As you breathe in, say your word phrase As you breathe out, express gratitude such as “Thanks be to God ”
As you try this form of prayer, you mind will wander. That’s okay! Let the thought wash over you and return to your practice. Set a timer on your phone or simply finish when you are ready At the end, offer one final prayer of gratitude to God
Gracious God, I acknowledge my need for you today. I have not loved you with all my heart, mind, and strength. I have not loved my neighbor as myself. Lord have Mercy. Christ have Mercy. I acknowledge my sin, my need of you.
saturday: march 29th
On Saturdays throughout Lent, you are invited to participate in a guided prayer practice. Find a quiet place to pause, be still, and read through this prayer. Repeat the prayer or any part of the prayer as many times as you'd like.
Opening Invocation (Adapted from Psalm 23)
Holy God, you are my shepherd Teach me not to want Help me lie in green pastures. Lead me to still waters. Restore my soul during this season of Lent. Help me to have eyes to see and ears to hear you on this Lenten journey. Teach me what it means to dwell in the house of the Lord. Amen.
John 14:15-16
If you love me, you will keep my commandments And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Advocate, to be with you forever. This is the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it neither sees him or knows him. You know him, because he abides with you, and he will be in you.
John 15:4-5
Remain in me, as I also remain in you No branch can bear fruit by itself; it must remain in the vine. Neither can you bear fruit unless you remain in me. I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing.
Reread the passages above How are you abiding with God in this season of Lent? What are the lessons that you need to learn in this journey? Take a few moments to in silence or prayer.
Prayer for Others
Who is on your mind today? Lift them up to God
The Lord's Prayer
Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name, your kingdom come, your will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Give us today our daily bread. And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors. And lead us not into temptation but deliver us from evil For yours is the kingdom, the power, and the glory forever and ever Amen
Prayer of the Week
Gracious God, I acknowledge my need for you today. I have not loved you with all my heart, mind, and strength. I have not loved my neighbor as myself. Lord have Mercy. Christ have Mercy. I acknowledge my sin, my need of you.
Week Five: To Judge or not to Judge
Passage of the Week: Luke 6:37-42
(37) “Do not judge, and you will not be judged; do not condemn, and you will not be condemned. Forgive, and you will be forgiven; (38) give, and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together, running over, will be put into your lap, for the measure you give will be the measure you get back.”
(39) He also told them a parable: “Can a blind person guide a blind person? Will not both fall into a pit? (40) A disciple is not above the teacher, but every disciple who is fully qualified will be like the teacher. (41) Why do you see the speck in your neighbor’s eye but do not notice the log in your own eye? (42)
Or how can you say to your neighbor, ‘Friend, let me take out the speck in your eye,’ when you yourself do not see the log in your own eye? You hypocrite, first take the log out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to take the speck out of your neighbor’s eye.
Hypocrisy, thy name is “me.” Last week, Jesus challenged us to transform how we act towards those who are hardest to love. But Jesus does not stop with mere external actions, he also calls us to change our internal posture towards others. More so, it is a challenge to his listeners to consider their own shortcomings in light of the brokenness of the world Jesus reminds us that we have all failed in loving God and loving our neighbor This reality should affect how we engage one another amidst these failures. At the end of the day, it is easier to be a hypocrite than confess our failures.
What makes us so quick to judge others when they have made a mistake? What do we do when the failures of others impact us directly in ways that make it difficult to forgive? How can we develop habits or practices of paying addition to the specks of sawdust in our eyes? How might we judge others less and offer more grace?
Prayer
of the Week
Holy and infinite God, we confess our need for you. We have sinned and need your forgiveness We have mistaken the sawdust in our eye for the plank in someone else’s We are lost and need your guidance Hear our prayers, O Lord
monday: march 31st
Yes, it is challenging not to judge others. Unfortunately, that's human nature. When I find myself judging others, I place myself in their shoes and place God in mine. I ask myself, “what would God’s reaction be?” In the eyes of the Lord, there’s no small or big sin God forgives us Hebrews 8:12 says, “For I will be merciful toward their iniquities, and I will remember their sins no more ” This is not because we deserve forgiveness but because God loves us and knows that sometimes trials are required to help shape our character and reach the end goal. Luke 6:40 helps us understand that it’s not about being “better” than other people is about being able to help others just like God helps us
As for me, the person I am today is because of the trials I’ve overcome, the desire for me to be different, and my trust in God that He had better and greater plans for me. So, if God has been so forgiving with us, why is it so hard for us to understand that we all are in different seasons of life? Whether God gave us wisdom or we’ve learned from experiences, that doesn’t give us the right to judge others
If anything, the Lord calls us to be a helper and show empathy because we were once there. As we saw in Week 4, God exhorts us to love everyone, even our enemy, and that can look simply like respecting the season that every person is currently in and praying that God works through them to get them to the end goal. Because God is the only one who knows their whole story, encouraging them to keep seeking more of God can ease the “burden” of working towards something they don’t see the point or reward from yet In the end, our role is not to judge but to extend the same grace, love, and patience that God has shown us, trusting that He is working in everyone’s life just as He has in ours.
Erika Puente Lopez Spiritual Life Mentor Class of 2026
Holy and infinite God, we confess our need for you. We have sinned and need your forgiveness. We have mistaken the sawdust in our eye for the plank in someone else’s. We are lost and need your guidance. Hear our prayers, O Lord.
tuesday: April 1st
Too often, we believers shift away from supporting one another in our walk with Christ, to criticizing lifestyles and mistakes. In many ways, judgment has become normalized, often under a facade of, “No judgment, I’m just saying ”
I have been both a perpetrator and a subject of this judgment, which have both manifested in negative feelings. The judgment I am referencing is not constructive, nor is it done out of love: it’s superficial and meant to make ourselves feel better about our own shortcomings. Jesus warns against this when He says, “Do not judge by appearances, but judge with right judgment” (John 7:24) More times than not, we think that by judging someone, it will cause an immediate shift in character For some, that may be convicting and push them to change, but most of the time, it makes us feel like we’re bad people.
One example that deeply convicts me is how we treat and view incarcerated or formerly incarcerated individuals Many times, I have felt better about myself by comparing my shortcomings to others, thinking, “At least I’m not a criminal,” as if my sins are less significant We have separated ourselves from those who have committed crimes, looking down upon them, and judging through appearances, rather than seeing them worthy of God’s love and forgiveness. But, Jesus came to unite us to God, and we should unite one another, too.
Jesus can help us to heal from our judgment and condemnation of others He tells us to acknowledge and turn from our own shortcomings instead of deflecting on others (Luke 6:37-42). He directs us to forgive, and we will receive that same forgiveness (Luke 6:37-42). Jesus’ ways are perfect, and His teaching in this passage highlights loving your neighbor (Matthew 22:39). During Fall 2024, I became passionate about the God Behind Bars movement, and with the help of the InterVarsity chapter here on campus, we wrote loving and inspiring letters to incarcerated individuals: with no judgment attached Love conquers judgment, and it can help us all work together to overcome our sins and honor the Lord.
Melanie Verdi Class of 2026
Holy and infinite God, we confess our need for you We have sinned and need your forgiveness. We have mistaken the sawdust in our eye for the plank in someone else’s. We are lost and need your guidance. Hear our prayers, O Lord.
wednesday: april 2nd
It’s easy for us to ask others not to judge us, but why aren’t we just as quick to withhold judgment ourselves? In Luke 6:37-42, Jesus presents a give-and-take scenario: “Do not judge, and you will not be judged. Do not condemn, and you will not be condemned. Forgive, and you will be forgiven. Give, and it will be given to you ”
I love how God challenges us in this way—not just to think about how we want others to treat us, but to reflect on how we treat them. We often expect kindness, grace, and patience from others, but are we offering the same in return? I’ve noticed that when I judge someone else, it’s often a way of avoiding my own sin That’s why I don’t think it’s a coincidence that Jesus follows His words about judgment and condemnation with a call to forgiveness He reminds us that whatever we give—whether judgment, condemnation, or grace—will be returned to us, and in even greater measure. And we know that when God gives, He gives abundantly.
This passage also challenges us to look inward before looking outward. If we desire forgiveness from others, we must first be willing to extend it If we want grace, we must be gracious And in our effort to be less judgmental, we are not left to figure it out on our own—we have the perfect guide: Jesus, the One who sees all and can lead us away from the pitfalls of hypocrisy.
It’s almost ironic when we focus on the minor faults of others, we become blind to our own, making us hypocrites This Lenten season, I am challenged to love others as I want to be loved, to be gracious and forgiving as I long to receive grace and forgiveness Instead of focusing on the specks in others’ eyes, I want to be mindful of the logs in my own. I don’t want to be blind to my faults or fall into the pit of hypocrisy. Instead, I want to follow Jesus, allowing Him to open my eyes and shape me into someone who reflects His grace.
Raissa Umwali
Interfaith Fellow Class of 2025
Holy and infinite God, we confess our need for you. We have sinned and need your forgiveness. We have mistaken the sawdust in our eye for the plank in someone else’s We are lost and need your guidance Hear our prayers, O Lord
thursday: april 3rd
J.R.R. Tolkien’s classic work Lord of the Rings offers readers an excellent example of Jesus’s command to not judge others. In this trilogy of books, we meet the character Gollum, a cruel and grotesque creature obsessed with regaining the ring of power Once a person not unlike the hobbits of our story, Gollum was corrupted by the ring over centuries as Tolkien’s representation of evil in his world of Middle Earth. Readers are meant to look down upon this creature who is grotesque and otherworldly.
As our story unfolds, the new holder of the ring, Frodo Baggins, has a change of heart when considering Gollum He moves from disgust to pity and understanding As Frodo journeys along his treacherous road, he begins to understand how the ring changed and corrupted Gollum because Frodo begins to see the changes happening inside of him. The similarities between Frodo and Gollum are intentional and readers begin to understand along with Frodo the results of unchecked evil. As such, Frodo’s posture and treatment of Gollum transforms If it could happen to Gollum, then it will happen to Frodo “Do not judge and you will not be judged ”
Jesus’s command to cease our judgement of others is an opportunity to offer empathy, a moment to seek understanding. Like Frodo and the other characters of this epic tale, we are tempted to respond in judgment. What if instead, we offered empathy to others If we are honest in fact, we often find ourselves in a similar situation when the roles are reversed I suspect we might experience changes of heart as Frodo towards the people in our lives
If you have never read or seen the movie adaptations of the Lord of the Rings, I highly recommend you taking some time to do so. Its themes of good, evil, hope and suffering are especially meaningful when we think about our lives of faith A major theme of the story is the role of these unsuspecting hobbits that the rest of the world has much to learn from Likewise, I think we might learn a lesson from Frodo and Gollum. What would it look like if we offered grace and understanding to even the most repulsive of places? As we have been learning over and over from Jesus’s lessons in these passages, this task is easier said than done. Yet, we are still called to it just the same
Kaleb Loomis Associate Chaplain
Holy and infinite God, we confess our need for you We have sinned and need your forgiveness We have mistaken the sawdust in our eye for the plank in someone else’s. We are lost and need your guidance. Hear our prayers, O Lord.
Friday: april 4th
On Fridays throughout Lent, we invite you to learn about and practice a spiritual discipline. Some of these practices might be familiar to you, others will be new experiences. Either way, we hope these disciplines will be an opportunity for you to dive deeper into your faith life The season of Lent invites us to refocus and examine our lives Each practice will invite you to do the same in a variety of ways Feel free to come back to these practices throughout the season of Lent and continue to encounter God throughout this journey.
Lectio Divina
Lectio Divina is an ancient practice of praying the scriptures Traditionally, it involves four parts While it is often best done communally with at least one other person to be the reader, you can do it alone using an audio version of the text Select a text that you would like prayer through--we recommend using this week’s passage or another in this guide but any will do. Then, you will read the selection four times:
1.
In the first reading (called the lectio), merely hear the passage being read. Focus on being present
2
In the second reading, begin to listen attentively (meditatio) to the passage’s content, but do not yet assign meaning or interpret it
3.
In the third reading, pray (oratio) over the passage, asking God to be present within its reading.
4.
In the final reading, be present and aware (contemplatio); linger in silence contemplating the presence of God in Scripture
If it is helpful, journal about your experience afterwards How might God be inviting you through prayer? Did you learn or note anything about God, yourself, or others during the prayer? Come back to this practice as it is helpful during this season.
Holy and infinite God, we confess our need for you We have sinned and need your forgiveness We have mistaken the sawdust in our eye for the plank in someone else’s. We are lost and need your guidance. Hear our prayers, O Lord.
saturday: april 5th
On Saturdays throughout Lent, you are invited to participate in a guided prayer practice. Find a quiet place to pause, be still, and read through this prayer. Repeat the prayer or any part of the prayer as many times as you'd like.
Opening Invocation (Adapted from Psalm 23)
Holy God, you are my shepherd Teach me not to want Help me lie in green pastures. Lead me to still waters. Restore my soul during this season of Lent. Help me to have eyes to see and ears to hear you on this Lenten journey. Teach me what it means to dwell in the house of the Lord. Amen.
John 14:15-16
If you love me, you will keep my commandments And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Advocate, to be with you forever. This is the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it neither sees him or knows him. You know him, because he abides with you, and he will be in you.
John 15:4-5
Remain in me, as I also remain in you No branch can bear fruit by itself; it must remain in the vine. Neither can you bear fruit unless you remain in me. I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing.
Reread the passages above How are you abiding with God in this season of Lent? What are the lessons that you need to learn in this journey? Take a few moments to in silence or prayer.
Prayer for Others
Who is on your mind today? Lift them up to God
The Lord's Prayer
Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name, your kingdom come, your will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Give us today our daily bread. And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors. And lead us not into temptation but deliver us from evil For yours is the kingdom, the power, and the glory forever and ever Amen
Prayer of the Week
Holy and infinite God, we confess our need for you. We have sinned and need your forgiveness. We have mistaken the sawdust in our eye for the plank in someone else’s. We are lost and need your guidance. Hear our prayers, O Lord.
Week Six: Considering Trees
Passage of the Week: Luke 6:43-45
(43) “No good tree bears bad fruit, nor again does a bad tree bear good fruit; (44) for each tree is known by its own fruit. For people do not gather figs from thorns, nor do they pick grapes from a bramble bush. (45) The good person out of the good treasure of the heart produces good, and the evil person out of evil treasure produces evil, for it is out of the abundance of the heart that the mouth speaks.
You might have noticed a theme throughout these lessons from Luke 6 Taken all together, Jesus’s lessons emphasize that following Jesus should result in actionable changes with how we live our lives. To put it in the words of the book of James, “Faith without works is dead.” This week, Jesus continues this theme, asking us to consider good and bad fruit while reminding us that our external actions are a reflection of internal states. What comes out of us is related to what is inside of our hearts Yet, these commands from Jesus to love our enemies and not judge others are especially difficult in a world filled with pain and hurt
In what ways do good and bad fruit show up in our lives and our communities? How do we keep faith from turning into a checklist of “good” things to do? How might our lives look different if we followed the lessons that Jesus has been teaching? What does your fruit look like?
Prayer of the Week
Lord, teach me to serve you as you deserve; to give and not to count the cost; to toil and not to seek rest; to labor and not to ask for reward; except knowing that we do your will, O God. (adapted from St. Ignatius of Loyola)
monday: April 7th
With Easter approaching, we reflect on the transformation of Jesus from death to resurrection. We can also look back to His transfiguration, where Jesus’ “face shone like the sun, and His clothes became as white as the light” (Matthew 17:2). Jesus at this moment is literally radiant and shows His glory as the Son of God.
To me, Jesus’ transformations are not only an expression of His ultimate and eternal glory, but of examples to us, that we must also embark on our own transformations as He did. When Jesus gives the example of the good and bad fruit, He illustrates how we must examine our hearts and our actions. Our inner lives that produce outer fruit. Although we may feel like we are doing all the right things, we may be unknowingly turning our relationship with Christ into a checklist. Pray, attend church, worship, repent, repeat Though these are wonderful things, what are our intentions? What is truly in our hearts? For instance, the Pharisees followed the law, but did not undergo a transformation of their hearts.
When choosing to follow Christ, we are not simply signing up for a CVS-receipt long list of tasks and responsibilities. Instead, we should seek Him to renew our hearts to align with the Lord, which will in turn push us to perform actions and uphold the law that honors Him This is why I believe Jesus’ transformations should inspire us to embark on our own, daily transformations, allowing Him to change us from the inside out.
Melanie Verdi Class of 2026
Lord, teach me to serve you as you deserve; to give and not to count the cost; to toil and not to seek rest; to labor and not to ask for reward; except knowing that we do your will, O God. (adapted from St. Ignatius of Loyola)
TransformbyMelanieVerdi(Medium:Watercolor)2024
tuesday: April 8th
For five years, I was a mentor for a clever, creative little boy, and I consider our friendship one of the greatest blessings of my young adulthood. Our time together concluded rather suddenly, though, as his family moved away at the end of his fourth grade year In the mind of this ten-year-old, the stakes were low: we had our fun and learned together, but he was on to new adventures However, the woman in her thirties receiving this information reacted somewhat differently…after returning him to his classroom on our final day together, I walked to my car and wept alone in the parking lot.
Nearly two years later, I’m much more at peace with the situation because it was never about me to begin with My job was simply to be an adult who cared Did wonderful things also change within me as a result? Absolutely! My time with this friend provided transformative qualities that built up over our time together, culminating in a poignant conclusion I knew in my heart was right…he didn’t need me anymore
Change is hard We cling to what we know because it’s safe, even when we know the road ahead is promising goodness. But through the challenging goodbyes to a person, a place, a phase of life we cling to the calling of Christ: love. Love, love, love. Love one another, love God, love the blessings we’ve been bestowed. Although that love can be so fierce that pain is felt, too, love is still the answer As Thomas Aquinas declares, “Love is a binding force, by which another is joined to me and cherished by myself ”
Rachel Fisher Perkins Class of 2026
Lord, teach me to serve you as you deserve; to give and not to count the cost; to toil and not to seek rest; to labor and not to ask for reward; except knowing that we do your will, O God. (adapted from St. Ignatius of Loyola)
wednesday: april 9th
Living a life that produces good fruit isn’t easy There have been seasons in my own life where I’ve felt spiritually dry, struggling with anger, unconcern, frustration or entitlement. I remember a time when I let resentment build toward someone who had wronged me. I tried to justify my feelings, but the more I held onto bitterness, the more it spilled out into my interactions with others and then within my spirit. It wasn’t until I surrendered that hurt to God that I felt my heart soften and my words and actions began to change
Bearing good fruit isn’t about striving harder or checking off a list of “Christian behaviors.” It’s about abiding in Christ (John 15:5). Abiding in Christ, living in him and allowing him to dwell in us is so important with our walk with God. The fruit of our lives isn’t manufactured by willpower it grows from being deeply rooted in God’s love and truth
One of the dangers in our walk with God is turning faith into a list of tasks: Read the Bible. Pray. Quiet Time with God. Serve Others. Go to church. These are all good things, but if we treat them as a means to “earn” good fruit, we miss the point. Jesus emphasizes fruit because it’s evidence of transformation, not a performance for approval Our outward actions must flow from an inward connection with Him So how do we avoid a checklist faith? By seeking a relationship with God, rather than a set of rules. When we abide in His presence, He transforms our hearts— leading to genuine, life-giving fruit.
A Prayer for Today
Lord, help me to be a tree that bears good fruit Fill my heart with Your love, so that my words and actions reflect Your goodness Keep me from treating my faith as a list of tasks, and instead, draw me into a deeper relationship with You. Transform my heart, so that my life may be a blessing to others and a witness of Your grace. Amen.
Jenna Stegemoller Coordinator for Office of
the Chaplain
Lord, teach me to serve you as you deserve; to give and not to count the cost; to toil and not to seek rest; to labor and not to ask for reward; except knowing that we do your will, O God. (adapted from St. Ignatius of Loyola)
thursday: april 10th
Many of us are familiar with the phrase, “Don’t judge a book by its cover ” Often said in reference to not dismissing something or someone, this colloquial saying is a great reminder that we should not define people or others by their appearance. However, Jesus’s words this week seem to counter this wisdom, by asking us to consider the fruit of our actions as indicative of the inner workings of our hearts. In essence, perhaps we should sometimes judge a book by its cover.
While judging a book by its cover has to do more with appearance, Jesus’s lesson emphasizes that our external actions are important markers of our internal states. Yes, good can come from ugly things and bad can come from beautiful things, but Jesus implores his listeners to reflect on their own actions as the “covers” of their hearts. When was the last time you reflected on your fruit?
An easy takeaway from this passage might be to create a systematic equation of your actions as if X number of good works equals Y state of your heart. Good plants produce good fruit, not every now and then, but continuously. It is not about one-off actions making you a good person. Instead, we might see Jesus’s lesson as an invitation to pay attention to ourselves. Are we aware of when bad fruit begins to sprout in our lives? Can we notice the moments where our fruit begins to sour?
This practice of paying attention of my fruit has shown up in to me in a variety of ways. For example, I’m typically a fairly compassionate and patient person. I lead with empathy and understanding when interacting with others. Sometimes though, I’m irritable, impatient, and quickly frustrated by others. In those moments, I can choose to linger in my frustration and impatience, or I might see it as an invitation to evaluate my internal state Did I get enough sleep last night? Have a spent time in silence or prayer? Was I recently hurt by someone and now I’m lashing out? Do I feel guilty for a failure on my part? My list of questions could go on and on. Regardless, they are an opportunity to note what’s happening in my heart.
Using Jesus’s lesson as an invitation to examine your life means having the humility and grace to look within yourself Our good works and bad moments don’t define us, but they are a reflection of our internal states. So, Jesus invites us to judge our actions by their “covers” and enact change when the bad inevitable sprouts up.
Kaleb Loomis Associate Chaplain
Lord, teach me to serve you as you deserve; to give and not to count the cost; to toil and not to seek rest; to labor and not to ask for reward; except knowing that we do your will, O God. (adapted from St. Ignatius of Loyola)
friday: april 11th
On Fridays throughout Lent, we invite you to learn about and practice a spiritual discipline. Some of these practices might be familiar to you, others will be new experiences. Either way, we hope these disciplines will be an opportunity for you to dive deeper into your faith life The season of Lent invites us to refocus and examine our lives Each practice will invite you to do the same in a variety of ways Feel free to come back to these practices throughout the season of Lent and continue to encounter God throughout this journey.
Prayer Walk
A common theme in many of the prayer practices found in this devotional is simply learning to pay attention In the Daily Examen, we pay attention to the presence of God in our daily events In the “Otherness” meditation, we pay attention to those around us. And in Lectio Divina, we pay attention to God in the Scriptures through prayer. This week’s exercise challenges us to pay attention to our physical surroundings.
The practice of a prayer walk is common in several Christian traditions, especially when on service trips or in new places; however, this practice is rarely embodied at home. Try taking a prayer walk in your own community. Don’t simply walk and prayer however. Learn to walk prayerfully and mindfully, becoming aware of your surroundings and where you might experience the presence of God in it. Walk around where you live or work and practice paying attention: to the trees, the fluorescent lights, the person walking by with their dog, anything that comes to pass Pray as you feel led and ask God to become more aware of God’s presence in your life. Or simply walk in silence, noting the peace that can come when we simply make time to just be in the moment.
Lord, teach me to serve you as you deserve; to give and not to count the cost; to toil and not to seek rest; to labor and not to ask for reward; except knowing that we do your will, O God (adapted from St Ignatius of Loyola)
saturday: april 12th
On Saturdays throughout Lent, you are invited to participate in a guided prayer practice. Find a quiet place to pause, be still, and read through this prayer. Repeat the prayer or any part of the prayer as many times as you'd like.
Opening Invocation (Adapted from Psalm 23)
Holy God, you are my shepherd Teach me not to want Help me lie in green pastures. Lead me to still waters. Restore my soul during this season of Lent. Help me to have eyes to see and ears to hear you on this Lenten journey. Teach me what it means to dwell in the house of the Lord. Amen.
John 14:15-16
If you love me, you will keep my commandments And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Advocate, to be with you forever. This is the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it neither sees him or knows him. You know him, because he abides with you, and he will be in you.
John 15:4-5
Remain in me, as I also remain in you No branch can bear fruit by itself; it must remain in the vine. Neither can you bear fruit unless you remain in me. I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing.
Reread the passages above How are you abiding with God in this season of Lent? What are the lessons that you need to learn in this journey? Take a few moments to in silence or prayer.
Prayer for Others
Who is on your mind today? Lift them up to God
The Lord's Prayer
Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name, your kingdom come, your will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Give us today our daily bread. And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors. And lead us not into temptation but deliver us from evil For yours is the kingdom, the power, and the glory forever and ever Amen
Prayer of the Week
Lord, teach me to serve you as you deserve; to give and not to count the cost; to toil and not to seek rest; to labor and not to ask for reward; except knowing that we do your will, O God. (adapted from St. Ignatius of Loyola)
Week Seven: Well laid foundations
Passage of the Week: Luke 6:46-49
(46) “Why do you call me ‘Lord, Lord,’ and do not do what I tell you? (47) I will show you what someone is like who comes to me, hears my words, and acts on them. (48) That one is like a man building a house who dug deeply and laid the foundation on rock; when a flood arose, the river burst against that house but could not shake it because it had been well built. (49) But the one who hears and does not act is like a man who built a house on the ground without a foundation. When the river burst against it, it quickly collapsed, and great was the ruin of that house.”
If the message was not already clear, Jesus uses one last example to ensure that we have taken it to heart. From trees to houses, Jesus reiterates that faith means putting our words into actions. How do you handle the storms and floods of life? Abide in Jesus and follow what he has taught. The season of Lent is about repentance and a refocusing on our life of faith In many ways, Lent asks us to consider the ways that we often fail to follow Jesus’s words More often than not, we haven’t laid a firm foundation. As we enter Holy Week, we spend one last moment considering Jesus’s words.
How are you laying the foundations of faith in your life? What does it mean to be a wise or foolish builder in our contemporary society? How does the redeeming work of Jesus challenge us to live a life of faith now?
Prayer of the Week
God be in my head and in my understanding. Be in my eyes, and in my looking. Be in my mouth, and in my speaking. Be in my heart and in my thinking. Be at my end, and in my departing Lord God, be with me so that I might learn to follow you
monday: April 14th
In this week’s guiding scripture passage, Jesus encourages us to build our spiritual house “by digging deep and laying the foundation on bedrock”. In a sense, Holy Week encapsulates the foundation of our Christian faith: Jesus’ prayer in the Garden of Gethsemane reflects humanity’s struggle to surrender our will to the will of God
The Last Supper reflects our commitment to the traditions of our faith, In Judas’ betrayal, we see our own propensities to sin even as we profess our love of God – our need for divine grace
The Crucifixion reminds us of the power of empire while highlighting Christ’s self-emptying sacrifice; and
The Resurrection boldly illustrates that out of death new life springs forth, always. (If you don’t believe the Bible story, look at nature coming alive after the bleak midwinter.)
While we celebrate the joy of Resurrection, Easter’s meaning is minimal without the struggle and tragedy of Maundy Thursday and Good Friday Without the internal struggle, the political drama, and the feelings of fear and isolation experienced by Jesus and his disciples during Holy Week, what does Easter mean?
In calling us to build a solid spiritual foundation, Jesus expects us to put his words into action! He shows us how to do that at the Last Supper when he washes his disciples’ feet and commands us to do the same At the heart of Jesus’ life, death and resurrection is service – loving others and the world with the unconditional love of God. As Lent draws to a close, may the spiritual disciplines of prayer, fasting and generosity that have strengthened us the last 40 days empower us to serve God and neighbor in the Easter Season and beyond.
Rev. Lisa Garvin Chaplain & Minister to the University
God be in my head and in my understanding Be in my eyes, and in my looking Be in my mouth, and in my speaking Be in my heart and in my thinking Be at my end, and in my departing. Lord God, be with me so that I might learn to follow you.
tuesday: april 15th
Hickory dickory dock, the mouse ran up the clock The clock struck one, the mouse went down, hickory dickory dock.
Our modern American lives are widely based on time. Where in some cultures it’s extremely disrespectful to touch someone’s head without their permission, the American equivalent is to come late or go over time To do so is to impinge on time, which, according to the saying, “is money” Time is a foundational commodity for many of us.
But Jesus claims our foundation for himself, as himself. He is our foundation and nothing else can supercede. Of course, we can build our lives on some other foundation; just when inevitable troubles arise our home’s destruction will be complete Our foundation can be nothing but Jesus - doesn’t the smallest seed growing in concrete spread its roots and crack the foundation?
It is therefore important to make sure that Jesus is our firm foundation and our time is built on top of him. Otherwise, we will be like the mouse that climbs the clock only to be struck off by the toll of time
Does the toll of the bell cause anxiety in my life? How much do I dread the sound of my alarm? Do I work too much and never get enough rest? Do I have time for my hobbies? “Why do you call me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ and do not do what I say?” Jesus gives me the Sabbath.
Does the toll of the bell determine my routine? Do I never have time to read the Bible or pray? Do I never have time to spend quality relational time with people? Do I never have time to volunteer? Does my work take up all my time? “Why do you call me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ and do not do what I say?” Build my life on Jesus.
Does the toll of the bell remind me of Jesus’ return? Do I look more eagerly and hopefully for the time my Savior will redeem the world? Do I wish that Jesus comes back as soon as possible and rewards me for investing the talents he gave me?
When we build our lives on time, it slips away and knocks us off the clock. Jesus picks us up and gives us stable ground.
Luke Voinov Spiritual Life Mentor Class of 2027
God be in my head and in my understanding. Be in my eyes, and in my looking. Be in my mouth, and in my speaking. Be in my heart and in my thinking. Be at my end, and in my departing Lord God, be with me so that I might learn to follow you
wednesday: april 16th
One of my favorite songs is Firm Foundation by Chandler Moore, which speaks about Christ being my firm foundation—the rock on which I stand. This passage convicted me to examine my foundation and challenge myself: If I truly believe that God is my foundation, do I actually do what He tells me?
Having strong fundamentals is crucial for progress in anything As a Computer Science student, failing to understand the basics of coding and computing would hinder my ability to excel. Similarly, the strength of a house depends on its foundation if care is not taken to ensure it is firm, the house will not withstand challenges. Though Jesus uses this as an analogy, it’s significant that He says "when" storms and winds come, not "if" (Luke 6:48-49) Hardships in life are inevitable, so the real question is: How firm is the foundation upon which my life is built?
Some might say that verses 46 and 47 don’t directly connect with verses 48 and 49, but I noticed that Jesus makes a clear progression coming to Him, hearing His words, and acting on them all contribute to strengthening our foundation The metaphorical house we build in life is only as strong as the obedience we show to God’s words
The question in Luke 6:46 felt like a splash of cold water: “Why do you call me ‘Lord, Lord,’ and not do what I say?” Can I truly say that Jesus is Lord if I don’t follow His commandments? If I genuinely believe He is Lord Lord over my life specifically shouldn’t that move me to obedience out of reverence for who He is?
This passage challenged me to see God's commandments not as suggestions or compromises but as directives that must be at the forefront of my life. It is a call to stop adjusting the Word of God to fit my life and instead adjust my life to align with the Word of God
Raissa
Umwali Interfaith Fellow Class of 2025
God be in my head and in my understanding. Be in my eyes, and in my looking. Be in my mouth, and in my speaking. Be in my heart and in my thinking. Be at my end, and in my departing. Lord God, be with me so that I might learn to follow you.
thursday: april 17th
When Jesus woke up on this day thousands of years ago, I wonder what he was thinking. For those familiar with the traditional observances of Holy Week, today is Maundy Thursday, the day we recognize the Last Supper among Jesus and his disciples Jesus awoke on this morning aware of what was about to unfold, but did he worry about his followers and what lay ahead?
Maybe the words of this lesson came to his mind: “Why do you call me Lord but don’t do what I tell you.” He had spent years with them, and yet they still seemed to miss the point too often. Did Jesus doubt his teaching ability? Did he wonder if he had done enough? Would his disciples understand the culmination of his teachings in the hours that would follow his betrayal and arrest leading up to his eventual execution?
We won’t know exactly what Jesus was thinking or feeling in the early morning hours as he arose and prepared to face the day ahead, but we do know how he chose to spend his last night with this group of friends Rather than tell them in words one more lesson, he reminded them of his teachings in action He washed their feet He broke bread And he raised a cup In this one last gathering, Jesus emphasizes the point of many of the teachings we have been exploring throughout this guide: faith leads to action. Like Jesus, we must be servants to one another, care for one another, and sacrifice for one another.
Jesus has laid the foundation for what faith in action looks like On this sacred day of our liturgical year, how might you wash the feet of your neighbor, break bread with your community, and raise a cup in remembrance of the death and resurrection of Jesus. Will you hear his words and do?
Many of us will do our best, but undoubtedly, we will still fail at times Yet, Jesus is there to wash our feet, break bread, and raise a cup nonetheless Grace and peace on this Maundy Thursday
Kaleb Loomis Associate Chaplain
God be in my head and in my understanding. Be in my eyes, and in my looking. Be in my mouth, and in my speaking. Be in my heart and in my thinking. Be at my end, and in my departing. Lord God, be with me so that I might learn to follow you.
friday: april 18th
On Fridays throughout Lent, we invite you to learn about and practice a spiritual discipline. Some of these practices might be familiar to you, others will be new experiences. Either way, we hope these disciplines will be an opportunity for you to dive deeper into your faith life The season of Lent invites us to refocus and examine our lives Each practice will invite you to do the same in a variety of ways Feel free to come back to these practices throughout the season of Lent and continue to encounter God throughout this journey.
Meditation on the Passion
In her work, The Interior Castle, St Teresa of Avila describes a form of meditation and prayer that involves Christ’s passion. Meditation on the Passion gives us perspective, a sense of companionship in times of trouble, a glimmer of hope in dark times. As we observe Good Friday, we invite you to relive the Passion narrative through the following passages. Read these passages and recall these events. Reflect on what Jesus may have been feeling in these moments Remember that Jesus in his full humanity suffered with you and understands your plight
First, consider Jesus in the Garden (Matthew 26:36-56)
Second, recall the sham trials of Jesus before the high priest and Pilate (Matthew 26:57-27:2, 27:11-31).
Third, dwell on the crucifixion (Matthew 27:32-61)
While it might be tempting to move onto the next stage of the story, there is no Easter Sunday without Good Friday. Linger here in this moment with Jesus’s Disciples. How might they have felt? What were they thinking. Remember Jesus’s sacrifice.
On Sunday morning, finish the story: Remember the Resurrection (Matthew 28:115) and rejoice.
God be in my head and in my understanding Be in my eyes, and in my looking Be in my mouth, and in my speaking. Be in my heart and in my thinking. Be at my end, and in my departing. Lord God, be with me so that I might learn to follow you.
saturday: april 19th
On Saturdays throughout Lent, you are invited to participate in a guided prayer practice. Find a quiet place to pause, be still, and read through this prayer. Repeat the prayer or any part of the prayer as many times as you'd like.
Opening Invocation (Adapted from Psalm 23)
Holy God, you are my shepherd Teach me not to want Help me lie in green pastures. Lead me to still waters. Restore my soul during this season of Lent. Help me to have eyes to see and ears to hear you on this Lenten journey. Teach me what it means to dwell in the house of the Lord. Amen.
John 14:15-16
If you love me, you will keep my commandments And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Advocate, to be with you forever. This is the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it neither sees him or knows him. You know him, because he abides with you, and he will be in you.
John 15:4-5
Remain in me, as I also remain in you No branch can bear fruit by itself; it must remain in the vine. Neither can you bear fruit unless you remain in me. I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing.
Reread the passages above How are you abiding with God in this season of Lent? What are the lessons that you need to learn in this journey? Take a few moments to in silence or prayer.
Prayer for Others
Who is on your mind today? Lift them up to God
The Lord's Prayer
Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name, your kingdom come, your will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Give us today our daily bread. And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors. And lead us not into temptation but deliver us from evil For yours is the kingdom, the power, and the glory forever and ever Amen
Prayer of the Week
God be in my head and in my understanding. Be in my eyes, and in my looking. Be in my mouth, and in my speaking. Be in my heart and in my thinking. Be at my end, and in my departing. Lord God, be with me so that I might learn to follow you.
Happy Easter!
He has Risen!
Thank you for joining us in our Reflections from the Hilltop throughout this Lenten Season We hope it has been one of rest and reflection Lent ends with Easter Sunday, and the story of Easter is the story of God’s redemptive work in a broken, imperfect world We celebrate the resurrection of Jesus Christ, God incarnated, whose life and death demonstrated God’s unconditional love to humanity. In Christ’s resurrection, we learn that life is more powerful than death, that hope springs forth like the new dawn even after the darkest of nights.
We invite you to continue to use this guide in future Whether we are in the season of Lent or not, we find ourselves navigating all sorts of times and seasons in life Grace and Peace to you this Easter. We all can shout out, "He is risen. He is risen, indeed!"
Thank You
This guide could not have been completed without the hard work of all who contributed to it We are grateful for those who wrote a devotional for this guide Each contributor’s name is listed at the end of the devotional Special thanks go to our student workers, Raissa Umwali, who helped review and craft this guide. We look forward to the ways that the Christian community at SMU will continue to offer shared expressions of our collective faith in the future.
Connect with the OCRL
Need to have a confidential conversation? Or simply interested in connecting with the Office of the Chaplain & Religious Life? See the contact information below to learn about all the ways you can get involved or receive support on campus.
General Email: chaplain@smu.edu
Phone: 214-768-4502
Website: smu edu/StudentAffairs/ChaplainandReligiousLife