Dear Friends of Mayer Lutheran High School,
Easter greetings to you in the name of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ! He has risen! He has risen indeed! Hallelujah!
It is quiet at school. COVID-19 has done something that two World Wars, the Civil War, and the 9-11 attacks could not do—shut down campuses, but not learning, all over the country. As I think about being the leader of Mayer Lutheran at this time, I wish I could come up with a witty quip or creative expression that will set the leadership world ablaze with amazement and make Crusader Nation rejoice that I lead their venerable institution of learning. Sadly, I’m not so sharp. Fortunately, Napoleon Bonaparte was. His famous words are true as ever: “A leader is a dealer in hope.”
As a school that prepares the next generation of Christian leaders, I am optimistic. We will return to the classrooms, sports venues, theaters, and concert halls one day soon. We will be stronger, more reflective, and committed to the preparation of Christian leaders. We will be kinder, more generous, and accepting of those in our school family whose roots in Mayer Lutheran High School are not as deep. I truly believe our enrollment will grow as families reflect about what matters most in their children’s lives. Support for tuition aid will flourish and we pledge to make sure every underclassman returns next fall. Hope springs eternal at Mayer Lutheran.
Consider the hope our teachers reflected over these past several weeks. Upon being dropped into a distance learning crucible, they performed magnificently. In only two days, we offered spectacular learning opportunities, made lots of mistakes, learned from those errors, and had a jolly time through it all—as well as shedding quite a few tears. I am thoroughly impressed and eager to see what magic they will bring back to the classroom after all this nonsense subsides.
Why can I be so hopeful? Because we are MAYER LUTHERAN HIGH SCHOOL! Our history, legacy of 3,400 alumni, spectacular staff, undying support from congregations, church workers, and Christian leaders of all sorts, and a wise, patient, godly Board of Directors and Delegates have put us in a position to be optimistic. How have they done so? By placing the foundation of our school firmly in the bedrock of Scripture where we find a God of hope providing more than we imagined and far more than we deserved—eternal life through the work of Jesus Christ. Indeed, God’s Word brims with hope. (We best start reading it as we weary of binge watching another episode of The Office.)
Consider the words of the writer of Hebrews: Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for he who promised is faithful. And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near. (10:23-25)
The “Day drawing near” of course, is not the return of kids and teachers to campus. No, the day we look forward to with hope is the day we will see Jesus face to face. By the power of the Holy Spirit, it is a day for which we eagerly await without reservation or fear. It is a day that will far outshine the day we can once again root for the home team or wear gowns and mortarboards and receive diplomas and shake the sanitized hand of this writer. It is the day I look forward to with all my heart, mind, and strength.
The sure hope of being in the presence of the Triune God and the angels and archangels and all the company of heaven gets me out of bed each and every morning. That is the hope I have for all people. Certainly, as a dealer in hope for Jesus, it is my fervent prayer that you are buying what I’m selling.
Oh, and I promise never to attack Moscow wearing summer uniforms.
Serving You in Hope,
Joel P. Landskroener, Executive Director