By Tamara Shantz, assistant campus pastor DEVOTIONAL: In reflecting upon the Easter story as recounted in the Gospel of Mark, it sometimes feels like I’ve been taken back to my childhood and offered a ‘choose your own adventure’ novel! Which ending would you like? According to the footnotes of the New Revised Standard Version, some … Keep reading »

By Ann Hostetler, professor of English DEVOTIONAL: In this passage, the writer of Acts shares a radical new insight — that Christ’s message breaks through borders of nation and creed, not with military might, but with the power of love. In our own era, we are charged with spreading the message of a loving God … Keep reading »

By Jennifer Halteman Schrock, Merry Lea public program coordinator DEVOTIONAL: This year I am reading the crucifixion story through the lens of an unknown photographer’s camera. One of my responsibilities as a member of the Lenten planning committee at Berkey Avenue Mennonite Church, has been to choose visual images to project during the scripture readings. … Keep reading »

By Skip Barnett, international student advisor and associate professor of English DEVOTIONAL: Today is known as Maundy Thursday, the day Christians remember the very first communion when Jesus enacted the bread and wine ceremony that symbolized God’s love for fallen humankind.

By Julie Armstrong, assistant professor of American Sign Language DEVOTIONAL: What do you think of when you hear or see the word “prayer”? I have to be honest, I often think of what “bad” things are going on in my life and how God needs to help me.

By Hannah D. Miller, a senior peace, justice and conflict studies major from Scottdale, Pa. DEVOTIONAL: Isaiah 25:6-9 is the ultimate picture of God’s goodness — people sitting together, sharing food, engaging in a community of God’s children. It is the picture that Jesus lived out during his time on earth, and what he calls … Keep reading »

By Adriel Santiago, a junior communication and theater double major from Souderton, Pa. THIS WEEK’S THEME: He has been raised DEVOTIONAL: “He has risen, he has risen indeed!” Ever since I can remember, my pastors have begun the Easter Sunday sermon with these words. Nonetheless, I remained relatively ignorant of the profound ramifications of Christ’s … Keep reading »

By Richard R. Aguirre, director of Public Relations Office DEVOTIONAL: As a child, I loved the unbounded joy of Palm Sunday — Jesus’ triumphal entry into Jerusalem to the cries of “Hosanna” and the waving of branches. Mass always ended with ushers handing out priest-blessed strips of palm. My brothers, sisters and I eagerly took … Keep reading »

By Rachel Campagnoli, graphic designer DEVOTIONAL: This passage — although it was written well before his time on Earth — reminds me of the suffering and shame Jesus endured for me, so I wouldn’t need to. I am reminded of how Jesus never faltered in his faith and how, when the time was right, he … Keep reading »

By Kevin Gary, assistant professor of education DEVOTIONAL: My reading of Philippians 2:5-11 was deepened by Johannes Baptist Metz’s book, Poverty of Spirit, which is a meditation on this passage. Metz illuminates how several major heresies about the nature of Jesus attempt to deny Jesus’ humanity; so too, Metz observes, we seek to evade, ignore … Keep reading »