The prophet Isaiah extends God’s invitation to “Come now, let us set things straight.” This is a timely Lenten message. I think it is particularly important during Lent that we become more willing and obedient students of God’s instruction for learning to do good. In this passage, it is clear that learning to do good means ceasing to do evil. It is not just a matter of learning the difference between good and evil. The only way to wash ourselves clean of evil is to make justice our aim and by learning just ways of living. Lent is a time to reflect on what it means to learn just ways of living. From my perspective, the study of cultural diversity is one way to learn about justice.
The Psalmist tells us that learning the will of God is more than reciting the Bible and professions of faith. Lent is not just a time to busy ourselves with outward displays of religiosity, although spiritual disciplines that offer praise are worthy sacrifices to God. Lent is also a time to pay particular attention to the saving power of God in our lives. We need to let God correct us. A good student submits themselves to correction. I think that also means being willing to reflect on the values of our culture and whether they promote justice.
Jesus reminds me that Lent is not just about being a good student. It is also about being a good teacher. This is especially important to me. Jesus says we need to remember that there is but one teacher. The rest of us are all students of that one master, the Christ. During my Lenten journey, I am reminded that God calls me to demonstrate discipleship as much as knowledge in teaching justice. I need to practice more just ways of living in the world so students can follow my examples as well as observing what I tell them about the world.
Barbara Dilly
I came to Creighton in 2000 and retired in 2020. My twenty years of teaching, research and service in the Jesuit tradition enhanced my own life. It was an exciting time of celebration. I loved teaching and interacting with Creighton students because they responded so eagerly to the Ignatian pedagogical emphasis on the development of the whole person. It is this spirit of whole person development and celebration of life that I hope to infuse in my reflection writings.
My academic background is eclectic, preparing me well for the Liberal Arts academic environment at Creighton. I earned my BA in World Arts and Cultures from UCLA in 1988 and my Ph.D. in Comparative Cultures from the University of California, Irvine in 1994. My research focused on rural communities in the American Midwest, Latin America, and Australia. I taught Environmental Anthropology, Qualitative Research Methods, Social and Cultural Theory, and Food Studies courses.
I retired to Shell Rock, a small rural community in Northeast Iowa where I enjoy gardening, cooking, quilting, driving my 65 Impala convertible an my 49 Willys Jeepster. I have lots of fun playing my guitars with friends from the Cedar Valley Acoustic Guitar Association. But most importantly, I am still working to make my community and rural America a better place. I host a community quilt studio and serve on the Mission Board of my church. I also serve as the Climate Committee Chair and on the Executive Board of the Center for Rural Affairs.
