Dear Octet,



I pray you are well! During this Lenten season of spiritual spring cleaning, I have been studying Johann Sebastian Bach's St. Matthew's Passion. Based on Matthew 26 and 27, the work leads the listener through Jesus' final days—Judas' betrayal, Jesus' trial, crucifixion, death, and burial. The manuscript manifests Bach's deep sense that making music was inextricably tied to honoring the God he believed in.

Every aspect of the music, even the physical score, reveals his commitment to serve God. In musicologist David Gordon's words, the work is "beautifully, painstakingly bound;" Bach "re-sewed it by hand, and carefully highlighted the biblical words in red ink." The score concludes with the words, "Soli Deo Gloria"—"Glory to God alone." I believe that this is the essence of vocation. It is what makes us human. May our own devotion of heart, soul, mind, and strength be in Him.

With gratitude,

Mia Chung-Yee

Executive Director

• How do we know what we're meant to do, or who we're meant to be? Is life more than a choose-your-own adventure game? Senior Theologian Nathan Barczi reflects on what recent biblical scholarship suggests about the human calling.
• This Thursday, our friends at Veritas Forum convene a conversation on climate change and hope. Sign up now!
• RSVP now for Octet's April dinner and discussion, featuring OpenAI's Head of Safety Systems.
• Happy St. Patrick's Day! Read about a poignant moment in Patrick's life here.
• ...and more!

Called to be Human

by Nathan Barczi, Senior Theologian & Associate Director

We've been asking about the meaning of humanity. But what if humanity is something you and I are called to live out? What if just being born into the world gives us a meaning and a vocation?

Nathan Barczi draws on current biblical scholarship to explore these questions from an ancient perspective. See if you agree with him — read the essay below!

April Diálogos: hear from OpenAI's Head of Safety Systems

Veritas Forum this Thursday!

Calling all students! The MIT Graduate Christian Fellowship is hosting a conversation between eco-theologian Norman Wirzba (Duke Divinity) and environmental historian Kate Brown (MIT STS), moderated by Troy Van Voorhis (MIT Chemistry).

• Profs. Wirzba and Brown will be discussing the question: Does Hope Matter in a Dying World? They'll wrestle together with how we draw on our most cherished beliefs to make sense of climate change.
• (Plus, free dinner & cookies.)

Octet Colloquium: What Will We Become with AI?

The Octet team was honored to convene a colloquium of sixteen distinguished scholars to wrestle with the question of how artificial intelligence tools may be forming persons.

The gathering was interdisciplinary, with representatives from art, policy, engineering, biotech, and more. We were thrilled to hear so many wise voices considering how ordinary human character may be formed — and malformed — by use of artificial intelligence tools.

In the coming months, Octet will be preparing to share some of the outputs of this colloquium. Stay tuned!

Want to join us? Text JOIN to (833) 459-3187 to receive details by text.

Ministry Calendar

• Stop by Building 32 on Tuesdays to chat with MIT chaplains for "IRL with ORSEL." More details here!
• MIT's Grad Christian Fellowship meets for Large Group at 6:45pm on Fridays.
• MIT Cru meets for Large Group at 8pm on Tuesdays.
• RUF holds Dinner & Discussion every Wednesday at 7:30.