From Vineetha Mahayaye, Buddhist Chaplain:
"What do you think, Rahula: What is a mirror for?"
"For reflection, sir." - Ambalatthika-Rahulovada Sutta
This is a discussion between the Buddha and his son, Rahula. I often think about this and reflect on both my failures and successes. I invite you to be a mirror to yourself during this winter break. As you go in front of the mirror, make yourself look good!
From Lynn Cooper, Catholic Chaplain and Associate Director, University Chaplaincy
The Catholic calendar is full of feasts (or celebrations) this time of year. Through the twelve days of Christmas, we are reminded that God made us for joy and we are called to 'keep the feast.'
Even when life is hard and the world heartbreaking, the sacred calendar keeps us in step with generations who have come before us. As you make your way towards the new year and our upcoming break, I wish you well in feasting.
May you feast upon tasty food, friendship, family, music, art, novels, tradition, the outdoors, and more. Wherever and however your appetite leads you, may you find joy and nourishment.
From Anthony Cruz Pantojas, Humanist Chaplain:
This season invites us to the ache of stillness and to possibly find magic in the spaces where our shared humanity trembles and holds. Through care and connection, we weave a tapestry that binds us across the chasms widening between us.
May your “wintering” cultivate the fierce tenderness to see who and what needs witnessing, the rooted strength to refuse narratives of disposability, and the patient knowing of seeds beneath the snow.
We are called to tend to each other as sacred work as forests tends its own, as the earth tends to all.
From Rabbi Naftali Brawer, Jewish Chaplain and Executive Director, Tufts Hillel
As the fall semester draws to a close and you prepare to travel home—or wherever this winter break carries you—many of us do so with a heightened awareness of how fragile safety can feel, shaped both by the shooting at Brown University so close to home and by the antisemitic attack at a Hanukkah celebration in Sydney, geographically far yet deeply close for members of the Jewish community.
In this moment of transition, I want to offer a verse from the Hebrew Bible that has long accompanied Jews through uncertainty: “He will charge His angels to guard you wherever you go.” (Psalm 91:11) May your travels be safe, and may this break bring you rest and renewal.
From Khan Shairani, Muslim Chaplain:
As the semester comes to a close, I would like to share a piece of wisdom from my tradition that reminds me that in our darkest moments, we all must be here for each other. In one of the traditions, a man came to the Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, and he complained about the hardness of his heart.
The Prophet said: If you want to soften your heart, feed the poor and pat the head of the orphan.
I wish that all who are in your supporting network are there for you as you are there for them. I hope we all make sure to help each other persevere in difficult moments and to share joy together as well and keep our hearts soft for one another through our actions.
From Dan Bell, Protestant Chaplain:
As the days shorten and we approach the longest night of the year, Christians are preparing to celebrate God’s Word made flesh in the birth of Jesus Christ. The Gospel of John describes this divine incarnation as light shining in the darkness, which darkness cannot overcome. This reminds me of the Rev. Dr. King’s wise words:
"Darkness cannot drive out darkness; only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate; only love can do that.”
In the present gloom of devastating wars, destructive policies, and death-dealing attitudes towards those deemed different and inferior, may we be people who incarnate light, life, and love in all we do and say, trusting that darkness always precedes the dawn.
