PASTOR DAVE’S MUSINGS FROM THE HEARTLAND

October 22, 2023

COLLEGES AND UNIVERSITIES

Thursday, October 5, Diane and I attended the Marion University Ancilla College “Changing Lives” scholarship dinner at Swan Lake Resort Center.  Brad Serf was given the Ancilla Domini Legacy of Service of Award.  The award was established to recognize members of the community who embody the spirit of the Poor Handmaids of Jesus Christ and whose service has made an impact on the community.

Dr. Daniel J. Elsener, president of Marian University in Indianapolis, suggested two Biblical images to describe higher education: salt and light.  I would like to make a few comments about each of these and add a third: yeast.

In the Sermon on the Mount Jesus says, “You are the salt of the earth; but if salt has lost its taste, how can its saltiness be restored?  It is no longer good for anything, but is thrown out and trampled under foot (Matthew 15:13).”  Jesus is talking about the property of salt to bring flavor to foods.  In his remarks Dr. Elsener talked about another property of salt, a preservative.  This is one of its major uses in the scriptures.  A major function of institutions of higher education is to preserve the history, traditions, insights, knowledge, and ethics of the community in which exists.  At the heart of most institutions of higher learning is a first-rate library.

In the Gospel of Luke Jesus tells the following short parable.  “And again he said, ‘To what should I compare the kingdom of God?  It is like yeast that a woman took and mixed in with three measures of flour until all of it was leavened (Luke 13 20-21).’”  Colleges and universities are like yeast that cause everything around them to rise, grow, and flourish.  Purdue University through its extension offices in each county in Indiana is a leaven that makes Indiana a better place in which to live.  I have always supported local educational institutions because I have always felt that they helped improve the quality of life.  In Marshall County we have Marian University Ancilla College for a leaven.

The Book of Genesis begins with the world in total darkness.  Into this chaos and disorder God brings light.  “Then God said, ‘Let there be light’; and there was light.  And God saw that the light was good (Genesis 1:3-4a).”  The prologue in the Gospel of John picks up on this theme. “All things came into being through him, and without him not one thing came into being.  What has come into being in him was life, and the life was the light of all people.  The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not overcome it (John 1:3-5).”

Darkness can have a number of meanings: ignorance, evil, danger, etc.  In contrast, light can mean understanding, the good, safety, etc.  Higher education brings light into the darkness of ignorance and misunderstanding.  Colleges and universities were created to illuminate what is true and worthy of praise.

Another image that Dr. Elsener used can be found in Matthew 5:14. “You are the light of the world.  A city built on a hill cannot be hid.”  Colleges and universities are cities on hills that preserve knowledge and understanding, permeate and transform their settings for the better,

and bring light where there is ignorance and misunderstanding.  Almost every community in Indiana is fortunate to have a college or university at hand to be their own city on a hill.

(Comments may be sent to davidh15503@embarqmail.com.)