UniteBoston

Bridging Divides Across Christians for the Flourishing of the City

The Only Way We Make it is By Walking Together

“The only way we make it is by walking together. The only way we make it is by getting closer to one another as pastors, as priests, as guides, as leaders, shepherding one another for a time so we can move back into the vocation of shepherding others.”

– Rev. Canon Dr. Stephanie Spellers

Today, we are featuring an incredible retreat coming to Boston on Monday April 28 called Pastors, Priests and Guides. Click below to watch a reflection from Aaron Niequist and Rev. Spellers on the Road to Emmaus and what becomes possible when we walk together and find Jesus Christ on the road again.

P.S. UniteBoston is one of the key hosts and conveners of the gathering – and we are pleased to offer you a special promo code for the UniteBoston community! Use code UniteBoston20 to get 20% off the ticket price! Click here to register – Hope to see you on April 28!

Finding Christ on the Road Again: An Invitation to the “Pastors, Priests & Guides” Retreat in Boston

The road to Emmaus begins in heartbreak.

In Luke 24, two disciples walk away from Jerusalem with slumped shoulders and shattered hopes. They had trusted Jesus. They had believed a new world was dawning. But now, Jesus was dead—and so was the future they had imagined. They walked away feeling disillusioned, confused, and deeply weary.

If we’re honest, many of us in ministry are walking a similar path. We’ve poured ourselves out in an era that feels chaotic, divided, and spiritually dry. We’ve tried to guide others into unforced rhythms of grace, only to find ourselves caught in forced rhythms of stress. The world has changed, the Church is changing, and we aren’t always sure where—or how—we fit.

That’s why UniteBoston is honored to co-sponsor a gathering in Boston on Monday April 28 for the Pastors, Priests & Guides One-Day Retreat.

This retreat is for those of us who are tired and searching. It’s for spiritual leaders hungry for a new imagination for ministry. It’s for anyone asking: Where is Jesus now? How do we move forward when the old maps don’t work anymore?

Just as Jesus came alongside the weary disciples on the Emmaus road—listening, teaching, and ultimately revealing himself in the breaking of bread—we believe Christ will meet us too. And maybe, just maybe, our hearts will burn again.

Click above to watch Rev. Canon Dr. Stephanie Spellers reflect on why this moment matters, why Boston is sacred ground, and why Jesus is still worth following. For Stephanie, Boston is personal—it’s where she found Christ, where she was baptized, and where she saw people take Jesus seriously in ways that shaped her life and ministry.

At the retreat, Rev. Stephanie will guide us through the Emmaus story with the depth, wisdom, and vulnerability she’s known for. Alongside her, Aaron Niequist will help us embody the Way of Jesus through spiritual practices that ground and renew. This isn’t a lecture—it’s a co-creation of something holy, communal, and vibrant.

As Aaron often reminds us, we don’t have to choose between our ministries and our souls. This is a retreat to bring your whole self—your leadership, your longing, your weariness, your wisdom.

What’s Possible Together?

This is a disorienting time, yes—but it’s also a holy one. What becomes possible when we remember that, “the only way we make it is by walking together?”

We come to exhale.
We come to learn spiritual practices that re-center our souls in the unforced rhythms of Grace.
We come to meet fellow Christian leaders and remember that we are not alone.
We come to worship and learn at the intersection of multiple Christian traditions—
and we come, open to God igniting our imagination for what could be.

You’re invited to come as you are—humble, hopeful, hurting, curious. Whether you’re looking to rest, reimagine, or reconnect, this retreat is for you.

Join us on April 28 in Boston.
 Let’s walk the road to Emmaus together—and watch for Jesus along the way.

???? Learn more & register at pastorspriestsandguides.com

????‍♂️ Need a taste of rest now? Try this simple 10-minute Opening Hands Practice to release burdens and re-center in grace.

 Hosted in partnership with Anchor Church and UniteBoston. All are welcome.

​​The Rev. Canon Dr. Stephanie Spellers is one of the Episcopal Church’s leading thinkers and speakers around 21st-century ministry and mission. The author of The Church Cracked Open and the upcoming book Church Tomorrow?, she recently finished nearly a decade serving as Canon to the Presiding Bishop and guiding the entire denomination’s work on evangelism, reconciliation and care for creation. Spellers lives in New York but called Boston home for 20 years – it’s where she was baptized, trained for ministry, and founded The Crossing congregation at St. Paul’s Cathedral. Want to get to know Rev. Stephanie a little more? Listen to her interview on The Eternal Current Podcast.

Aaron Niequist is a liturgist, writer, and pastor. Aaron recently graduated from General Theological Seminary in NYC and currently serves at St Peter’s Episcopal Church Chelsea. After leading worship at Mars Hill Church (Grand Rapids, MI) and Willow Creek Church (Barrington, IL), he created A New Liturgy – a collection of modern liturgical worship recordings. He then curated a discipleship-focused, formational, ecumenical, practice-based community called “The Practice”. Aaron released a book called The Eternal Current: How a Practice-Based Faith Can Keep Us From Drowning and currently leads the Pastors, Priests and Guides ministry.  But that’s just job stuff.  The best part of his life is his wife Shauna, and their sons Henry and William.

“It Ain’t Over”: A New Song Release by Rev. Devlin 

In this Sunday’s newsletter, we’re excited to announce Rev. Devlin’s new single, entitled “It Ain’t Over!” 

You didn’t know that Rev. Devlin was a songwriter? Neither did we! But Rev. Devlin is a man of many talents. Read below to discover the powerful story behind the song It Ain’t Over. Rooted in faith, resilience, and personal tragedy, Devlin’s journey—from Chicago gospel choirs to Boston’s music scene—reveals the deep impact of his artistry. Read on to learn how his song serves as both a personal tribute and a battle cry of victory in Christ.

P.S. You can listen to “It Ain’t Over” which is available on all music platforms!

By Bill Ivanov, UniteBoston Journalist

“Hold on, play that again!” Rev. Devlin Scott said to his wife (then fiancée), Katie, as she played through a riff on the guitar while hanging out at her house. Then, he started to sing, “It ain’t over till God says it’s over…”

After this, the song sat dormant for more than fifteen years… until Rev. Devlin was introduced to the Christian music industry through the concerts that UniteBoston hosts. Through them, he saw the grassroots music careers of singers like Caleb McCoy (Remember), Jalen Williams (Alright, Flex, and Praise God) and Jen Aldana (Trust in You) take shape. From the connections UniteBoston made for Rev. Devlin and the courage and confidence he gained from serving with UB, he began tapping into the artistic part of himself.

When he released his single on Friday, April 4th at his single release party, “It Ain’t Over,” Rev. Devlin began the next stage of his professional musical journey. This journey has already travelled quite a distance; from the Gospel choirs of the southside of Chicago…to the streets of London as part of the “It Ain’t Over” tour in 2009…to its midnight release in Boston in front of an intimate group of people along with five other original songs.

During these challenging times, “It Ain’t Over” is destined to bring hope to people who may be experiencing trials in life. On this, Rev. Devlin remarked, “I think God’s timing is better than mine… I know that this is the right time for this music to come out. God is very intentional about the timing to release the music when the world is most needing to hear it. So, I completely give God credit for that.”

The hope-filled message Rev. Devlin shares through this song reflects his resilience and deep faith. Rev. Devlin credits his mother for sharing her belief in God for everything – “No matter how bad things got, she gave me the confidence that God is always faithful…He is going to work things out for your good…and He’s going to see you through it,” Rev. Devlin shared.

It was this strength that carried Rev. Devlin through personal tragedy. About a year and a half ago, Rev. Devlin’s cousin, struggling with mental illness, turned a gun on his sister and niece before ending his own life. Losing three family members in one incident left the Scott family reeling. Knowing the love his sister had for music, the boldness by which his niece lived and understanding the shortness in life, Rev. Devlin knew he had to honor them with this song. He also knew that others needed to hear it. A fire had been lit.

“A sense of urgency came from that moment,” Rev. Devlin remarked, “I speak the language of music. If you flip to the back of the Bible, we win. And so, I hope through this song, someone doesn’t forget that God is fighting for them. There’s a bit of a war cry in the song; we win.”

Amongst Rev. Devlin’s early music memories, he recalls being drawn to great church music radiating from the South Suburban Missionary Baptist Church on Chicago’s southside. He began singing as a choir member with the “Little Angels” of this church. By 11 years-old, he learned to play his first song on the piano, “Lean on Me.” After being taught just a few basic chords, he recalls starting to string them together, trying to write his own music.

“At a young age, I felt honored, and a little nervous, to direct the combined choir made up of all the choirs of our church. But I courageously stepped into that moment.” Rev. Devlin later went on to sing with the “Young Saints” – his community choir for teenagers that traveled and even  recorded an album. He joined his college gospel choir at Trinity International University, where he eventually became the choir’s director.

In his autobiography, Hans Christian Anderson is known to have said, “Where words fail, music speaks.” As good music transcends and unites, it is easy to see how Rev. Devlin, now serving as Managing Director of UniteBoston, uses his gifts to push beyond differences and find oneness in Christ. Truly, “It ain’t over. God’s not through with us yet.” 

To see a list of Devlin Scott’s upcoming events, please visit his website at www.devlinscott.com.

Sacrifice Your Power to Build Beloved Community

This Sunday, we’re honored to feature resources from Rev. Michelle Sanchez, who is coming to Boston in two weeks to be our keynote speaker for our fundraising party! Rev. Sanchez is the author of Color-Courageous Discipleship, Color Courageous Discipleship Student Edition, and Beloved Community, a discipleship trilogy based on the core truth that confronting systemic racism head-on is a core part of one’s formational journey to maturity in Christ.

One way to build a beloved community is by reflecting on how we use our power to advance God’s kingdom. Read Rev. Sanchez’s insights below on the importance of a “power audit,” especially relevant during this Lenten season of fasting.

P.S. We deeply appreciate how Rev. Sanchez shares her message in a holistic and practical way, making it accessible and age-appropriate for kids, teens, and adults alike. Check out Rev. Sanchez’s Color-Courageous Kids Activity Kit as well as her Family Devotional on Youversion!

With the passing of years, I have increasingly realized that trying to change the world is usually folly. The list of people who have measurably changed the entire world is quite short. Nevertheless, I can seek to change my world—my unique sphere of influence—on a daily basis.

This is precisely where fasting comes in. Just as God taught us in Isaiah 58, fasting is not merely about giving up food; it’s about making tangible sacrifices that transform our world. And when it comes to antiracism, the sacrifice of power may be the most important sacrifice that color-courageous disciples can make. Our model for this is Christ himself:

“Having loved his own who were in the world, he loved them to the end…. Jesus knew that the Father had put all things under his power . . . so he … began to wash his disciples’ feet.”

 (John 13:1, 3–5)

Jesus, fully aware of his power, chose to lay it down for the sake of love. Then he called his disciples to do the same (John 13:12–17).

A New Way to Fast: The Power Audit

We all have power in different ways, even if we don’t always recognize it. The power audit is a simple but transformative exercise that helps us identify and steward the influence we already hold—choosing to leverage or sacrifice it for the sake of beloved community.

We can think of power in four key areas:

  • Privilege – Unearned advantages we can use for good
  • Position – Roles and responsibilities where we can create change 
  • Platform – Our voice and advocacy, whether public or private 
  • Prosperity – Our resources, including time, talent, and finances

Practicing a power audit means regularly reflecting on how we use these forms of power. Consider arranging them in the shape of a cross—reminding us that true discipleship involves sacrifice for the sake of love.

Take the Next Step

If you take just one action after reading this, let it be this: Commit to the practice of a power audit. Start by identifying the power you hold and asking how you can use it to build beloved community. Even small sacrifices—speaking up in a meeting, making space for others, reallocating resources—can be powerful acts of discipleship.

Most importantly, don’t do this alone. The journey of color-courageous discipleship is one we are called to walk together, encouraging one another along the way (Hebrews 10:25).

Let’s reimagine fasting—not just as something we give up, but as something we give away to transform our world.

Adapted from Color-Courageous Discipleship: Follow Jesus, Dismantle Racism, and Build Beloved Community by Michelle T. Sanchez. Copyright © 2022 by Michelle T. Sanchez. Published by WaterBrook, an imprint of Penguin Random House. Used with permission.

A Call to Moral and Ethical Leadership: Uniting Around the Way of Jesus – Beginning Lent 2025

In this pivotal moment of political polarization and social upheaval, UniteBoston is issuing a call to moral and ethical leadership, inviting all Christians to repent from how we have strayed from the Way of Jesus and return to the core ethical and moral Biblical principles of love, justice, integrity, equity, and peace.

Lent is a season of reflection, repentance, and renewal, calling us to turn from sin and realign with God’s will. Just as Jesus spent 40 days in the wilderness preparing for His ministry, we are invited to examine our lives, confess where we’ve fallen short, and commit to change our ways. This is an opportunity to do the deep inner work of upholding the morals, ethics, and character of Christ, that we can individually and corporately be the people that the world needs right now and build up our common life together.

Local Christians brought this idea to our attention based on the divisiveness and harm they have seen taking place in current events, and we feel compelled to respond in this critical hour. In response, UB leadership has collaborated with them to draft and extend this invitation to the wider UniteBoston community and beyond. We see strong alignment between this call to moral and ethical leadership and UB’s efforts to strengthen the foundations of our Christian witness. This initiative builds on our Church & Civic Engagement gathering, where 70 leaders committed to Keep in Step with the Holy Spirit, and aligns with our current Fortify campaign. 

In spite of our political differences, join us to recommit ourselves to the following twelve principles interwoven in the overall message of the Bible and the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

By signing, we pledge to:
✅ Repent of ways we have strayed from the Way of Jesus (Eze. 33:7-16)
✅ Realign with Christ’s prayer for the unity of His believers (Jn. 17:20-26)
✅ Renew our commitment to public integrity and moral leadership, which begins with each of us (Isa. 58:1-14) 

Our goal this Lenten season is to gather 500+ signatures from a politically diverse Greater Boston Christian community to personally and publicly repent, receive God’s forgiveness and recommit themselves to moral and ethical leadership.

To follow up from these commitments, we are planning to form a team of diverse Christians from varying political backgrounds to discern next steps, such as:

  • Hosting kingdom conversation gatherings across political differences to foster more fruitful, challenging, and curious conversations in our church communities
  • Calling our community leaders, including church, business, and elected government officials, to exemplify this type of moral and ethical leadership
  • Taking action together to support those most vulnerable among us, such as the poor, widow, orphan, and immigrant (Zec 7:10) and supporting grassroots initiatives to address systemic inequities that are preventing the flourishing of all neighbors in our beloved city.

We pray that these opportunities for inward reflection, repentance, and outward action taking will plant the seeds of reconciliation and forgiveness that is needed to address the division and polarization harming the Church. Our hope is that we might offer an authentic, Christ-centered public witness, full of God’s truth, grace, and love (Jn 13:35).

Join us to rise above political division and stand together in the Way of Jesus.

???? Sign the petition on Google Forms here

A Call to Moral and Ethical Leadership Through Confession and Repentance

1. Love my neighbor as myself.

True leadership begins with love in action—a love that transcends political and ideological divides, embracing compassion and solidarity with all (Lk. 10:25-37). To love our neighbor is to act for their well-being, to listen with humility, and to seek peace over polarization  (Jer. 29:4-14). Love does not harm and is the summary of all God’s commands to His people (Rom. 13:8-12).

I have acted believing that I’ll take care of my needs first and foremost, and other people can take care of themselves. Lord Jesus, forgive me.

2. Steward responsibly the authority entrusted to me.

Leadership is not about power for personal gain but about stewarding influence for the flourishing of all (Acts 14:8-18). Leaders recognize that authority is a trust, not a weapon—one that must be exercised with wisdom, justice, and accountability (Mt. 25:14-30).  Stewardship acknowledges that everything is God’s and we are to work and take care of all of God’s creation, recognizing that what affects one of us ultimately affects us all (Gen. 2:2-15).

I have acted believing that what I have is mine, and I’ll do with it as I see fit, and I’ve neglected the common good. Lord Jesus, forgive me.

3. Live a life of holiness in a world yearning for wholeness.

In a society fractured by fear, brokenness and lies, leaders must embody the hope, integrity, and life that people long for (Isa. 61:1-11). Followers of Jesus are called to reflect the light of Christ in a world that often rewards deception and evil (Jn. 3:16-21). With Christ as our foundation, we are called to live moral and godly lives so people can see Christ through us (1 Pet. 2:4-12).

I have acted believing that I’ll do what’s right for me and what others do doesn’t concern me. Lord Jesus, forgive me.

4. Move out of my self-centeredness to live for the greater good.

A moral leader rejects personal self-interest as the highest aim, choosing instead to serve the marginalized, the vulnerable, and the common good, to God’s glory (Ps. 40:5-10). Leadership is not about self-preservation but about service and sacrifice for the sake of mercy and justice (Lk 4:14-20). Followers of Jesus live with purpose to proclaim and demonstrate God’s love for the world (Acts 8:26-40).

I have acted believing that the world and my purpose of life is centered around me. Lord Jesus, forgive me.

5. Admit when I’ve done wrong, then think and act differently to make it right.

A just society is not built on denial and deflection but on repentance and restoration (Eze. 18:25-32). Leaders must humbly acknowledge wrongdoing, whether personal or systemic, and take active steps toward restitution and repair (Lk. 19:1-10). We all must give and accept forgiveness to be agents of reconciliation in the world and bear witness to Christ’s reconciling work (2 Cor. 5:14-21).

I have acted believing that there is no right and wrong, and I’m accountable only to myself. Lord Jesus, forgive me.

6. Use wealth and power wisely, as these idols easily enslave us all.

God calls us to worship and obey Him alone and not be enslaved by the idols of this world (Lk. 16:9-15). The love of money and the pursuit of power have corrupted many leaders (1 Tim. 6:6-10). A moral and ethical leader rejects greed, exploitation, and economic injustice, opting instead to steward resources in ways that honor human dignity and promote the well-being of the community (Eccl. 5:10-20).

I have acted believing that money, power and status are the most important things in life. Lord Jesus, forgive me.

7. Respect and work with all people, especially those that differ from me.

Leaders are called to cultivate communities of belonging, respect and welcome, rather than giving in to the sinful tendencies of division and hatred (Rom. 15:7, Col. 3:1-15). As followers of Jesus, we are especially called to unity in diversity (Eph. 4:1-16) and to extend love not only to those who are like us but even to our enemies (Mt. 5:43-48). Our treatment of one another matters—we must put to death the desires of the flesh, including hatred, discord, jealousy, rage, selfish ambition, dissension, and envy. Instead, we are to cultivate the fruit of the Spirit: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control (Gal. 5:16-25). 

I have acted believing that the people who look and think like me are the only people that matter. Lord Jesus, forgive me.

8. Fight to restore hope in the midst of our brokenness.

In a world plagued by cynicism and despair, leaders must point towards the heavenly vision of shalom: nothing broken, nothing missing, and everything in right relationship  (1 Pet. 1:3-12). This means standing against the brokenness by encouraging one another to build a future where hope is tangible and joy sustains us all (Amos 9:11-15).  We lead others to full and complete lives as we follow the example of Jesus, the Good Shepherd (Jn. 10:9-11).

I have acted believing that the world is messed up and there is nothing I can do about it. Lord Jesus, forgive me.

9. Serve others with humility.

Jesus redefined leadership as servanthood (Jn 13:12-17). True leaders do not seek status or control but embrace humility, contentment, and a commitment to the well-being of others (Phil. 2:1-4). Followers of Jesus serve others with humility out of gratitude for Jesus’ service to us (Isa. 53:1-12). 

I have acted believing that my value is based on what people think of me and on the possessions that I have and need more of. Lord Jesus forgive me.

10. Show costly generosity even to those who are against me.

We are all called to generously love those who mistreat or hate us (Lk. 6:27-36) out of a recognition of the generous love that Christ has shown to us. We should sacrifice our own wants and desires for the benefit of others (2 Cor. 9:6-13), so there might be equality (2 Cor. 8:14). Followers of Jesus live sacrificially to honor God and point to Jesus’ sacrifice on the cross for us (1 Chron. 29:6-17).

I have acted out of a scarcity mindset, believing that everyone else is looking to take from me and that I need to look out for myself first. Lord Jesus, forgive me.

11. Stand in solidarity with the poor and the vulnerable.

Jesus will judge all of us on how we show mercy to the hungry, the foreigner, the naked, the sick and the prisoner (Mt. 25:31-46). Moral leadership demands that we defend the cause of the oppressed while also working to repair the harm that we have caused to the most vulnerable among us (Deut. 10:14-19). We must show mercy to others because God has shown mercy to us (1 Tim. 1:12-16).

I have acted believing that people deserve their bad circumstances, rather than seeing the structural systems that advantage some over others. Lord Jesus, forgive me.

12. Act with integrity and treat every person equally.

The Christian faith is built on the equal dignity, belovedness and worth of every person (Gen. 1:26, Jas. 2:1-13). In a world where inequality and discrimination persist because of our sin and sinful structural advantages that value some over others, leaders must stand for truth, integrity, and justice for all groups and individuals (Isa. 58:1-14).

I have dehumanized image bearers in my thoughts and actions, believing that truth is relevant and I need to use any advantage I have to keep myself ahead and others down. Lord Jesus, forgive me.

List of Signatures

Below is the list of people who have signed this commitment publicly so far, updated every day or so.

J. Garciano (Winchester, MA)

D. Saff (Arlington, MA)

G.F. Hicks (Stoughton)

K. Fassett (Boston, MA)

S. Gautier (East Boston, MA)

M. James (Chestnut Hill, MA)

D. Scott (Newton, MA)

M. Lietz (Boston, MA)

S. Rice (Arlington, MA)

J. Marcucci (Medford, MA)

M. DeJong (Waltham, MA)

B. Pierce (Brighton, MA)

R. Lutjohann (Cambridge, MA)

K. Hampson (Brookline, MA)

S. DeBonis (Quincy, MA)

H. Ho (Winchester, MA)

S. Brill (Worcester, MA)

O. Aarons-Martin (Brockton, MA)

S. Richardson (Reading, MA)

E. Gaskin (Randolph, MA)

M. Priest (Boston, MA)

J. Stanton (Medford, MA)

K. Fink (Framingham, MA)

L. Saylor (Arlington, MA)

G. Fung (Boston, MA)

I. Egbuchulam (Walpole, MA)

C. Parker (Winthrop, MA)

J. Runyon (Lynn, MA)

B. Neptune (Boston, MA)

We invite you to share this call to moral and ethical leadership via email or through social media, as our goal this Lenten season is to gather 500+ signatures from a politically diverse Greater Boston Christian community to personally and publicly recommit themselves to these Biblical principles.

Lent with Irenaeus of Lyons

“We need to be more self-reflective than ever.  Marketing has long drawn us into greed.  Algorithms now draw us into fear and outrage.  Politics draw us into viciousness. But those vices feed a foe within us — one more subtle and terrible than any foe without (Romans 7:14 – 25).  How will we – as Christians in Greater Boston – endure the change and hardship coming while relating more deeply with Jesus? “

Lent is upon us, a season of spiritual discipline, reflection, and self-examination. In this week’s newsletter, we’re featuring Lent with Irenaeus, a new book by local author Mako Nagasawa, who is also an elder at Neighborhood Church of Dorchester.

Irenaeus of Lyons, a second-century bishop, confronted distorted beliefs and emphasized the wholeness of body, soul, and creation in the Christian faith. Read an excerpt of his book below to explore his timeless insights on spiritual formation to deepen your faith from the darkness of Lent to the light of Eastertide.

Lent is the forty day period before Easter — that is, Resurrection Sunday. Lent begins with Ash Wednesday, when Christians often mark our foreheads with ash to remind us that we are mortal and will return one day to the dust. Lent ends with Holy Week – we recall Jesus’ entrance into Jerusalem as king, confronting the powers, only to face anguish at Gethsemane, be crucified on Good Friday, and then, at last, be raised on Resurrection Sunday into an immortal life.

During this period in his life, Jesus journeyed to give and to gain. He went to give something up – his very life. He also went to gain something infinitely valuable — his humanity purified and perfected, and a way for us to share in what he accomplished. The letter to the Hebrews says Jesus endured the cross, scorning its shame, for the joy set before him (Heb.12:2).

Lent is like a spiritual fitness routine. In order to more fully appreciate the significance of Jesus’ journey during Lent, Christians typically give something up — often a comfort item: meat; sugar; coffee; video games; social media. We let ourselves feel a physical or emotional pang of desire. We let this desire remind us of a deeper desire: the desire for a deeper connection with Jesus. Lent is, therefore, a season where we hope to gain things: a deeper hunger and thirst for Jesus and his righteousness (Mt.5:6), and strength over our lesser cravings – even if those lesser cravings help us cope with pain or loss. Perhaps especially if so.

Irenaeus is an outstanding guide in this Lenten journey. He was a Christian leader in the second century. He had been mentored by Polycarp of Smyrna in western Asia Minor, the region where Jesus’ apostles – his earliest followers – had spent the most time investing in new communities. Polycarp had been mentored by the apostle John, so Irenaeus’ pedigree was impressive. He might have died as a martyr, but certainly he was ready to, as his predecessor Pothinus of Lyons and mentor Polycarp of Smyrna both died by martyrdom. How did he come to love Jesus that much?

Irenaeus defended the Christian faith against “gnostic” influences — those who believed the body was evil or worthless or didn’t matter as much as the soul and the mind. So-called “gnostic Christians” then argued that Christian faith was about simply believing certain ideas while giving up on changing much of anything. It would have been the easier way to live, frankly. But Irenaeus knew that our journey with Jesus had to be more fully embodied, and involve a retraining of our whole being. For we are, as Irenaeus understood, human becomings.

Most of these reflections come from the fourth book of Irenaeus’ five volume work, Against Heresies. In this book especially, Irenaeus connects the stories and practices of the Old Testament to Jesus. The gnostics wanted to disconnect Jesus from the ancient Jewish story and community. Irenaeus points out that Jesus’ physical humanity was dependent on the Jewish community from which he came. God had shaped and trained ancient Israel in certain ways, with their partnership. Jesus embraced that training and journeyed further.

I hope Irenaeus’ reflections on this journey with Jesus helps you this Lenten season. For this early Christian leader – Irenaeus – believed it was a journey of becoming truly human.

Reflection 2:  We Ascend to God or Descend to the Animal

We often think of Lent as a season where we give up something, which is often a comfort item:  meat; sugar; screen time; chocolate.  We let ourselves feel the loss or lack of that thing.  We let this lack lead us to feel desire, and this desire reminds us that our deepest desire is for Jesus.  So during Lent, we hope to gain things:  a deeper hunger and thirst for the righteousness of Jesus (Mt.5:6), and strength over our lesser cravings – even if those lesser cravings help us cope with pain or loss.

Irenaeus speaks of this training of our desires.  He says we either ascend towards God, or descend towards the animal – or, at least, certain types of wild animals.  As finite beings created and loved by the infinite God, we are meant to grow infinitely in relation to God… Yet, the apostle Peter said that those who sin without repenting eventually become “slaves to corruption, for people are slaves to whatever masters them” (2 Pet.2:19).  Peter, quoting King Solomon in Proverbs 26:11, says that such people are like dogs that return to their vomit or pigs that return to mud.  Irenaeus, citing Peter, explains it in terms of desires and longings: “Now, spiritual men shall not be incorporeal spirits; but our substance, that is, the union of flesh and spirit, receiving the Spirit of God, makes up the spiritual man.  But those who do indeed reject the Spirit’s counsel, and are the slaves of fleshly lusts, and lead lives contrary to reason, and who, without restraint, plunge headlong into their own desires, having no longing after the Divine Spirit, do live after the manner of swine and of dogs; these men, [I say], does the apostle very properly term “carnal,” because they have no thought of anything else except carnal things.”  (AH 5.8.2, italics mine, quoting 2 Pet.2:12 – 22; Prov.26:11; cf. AH 4.4.3, quoting Ps.49:12)

Consider how we might “live after the manner of swine and of dogs” as Peter and Irenaeus mention, unpleasant as that might be.  We can make our habitats – our families, friendships, and organizations – morally and spiritually unhealthy.  For example, if we make a home for toxic favoritism or disdain, allow gossip and conflicts to fester in our presence, or get defensive when we are wrong, then we are like those pigs who sit in the mud and their own excrement.  If we are in leadership and allow sins to go unaddressed, we contribute to an unhealthy environment where other people suffer.

We need to be more self-reflective than ever.  Marketing has long drawn us into greed.  Algorithms now draw us into fear and outrage.  Politics draw us into viciousness.   But those vices feed a foe within us — one more subtle and terrible than any foe without (Romans 7:14 – 25).  How will we – as Christians in Greater Boston – endure the change and hardship coming while relating more deeply with Jesus? 


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