I am an emeritus professor from Cornell University and was a Commissioned Lay Preacher in the Presbyterian Church (USA). For many years I have followed the Daily Lectionary as printed in the Mission Yearbook of my church. For each day of a two-year cycle, the lectionary lists four psalms and three other scriptural passages--usually one from the Old Testament and two from the New Testament. My practice is to copy down a verse or two from one of the psalms and from each of the other three passages. After I have written out all four selections, I reflect upon them, rearrange their order, and incorporate them into a meditation. Sometimes I retain much of the original wording; sometimes all that remains of a selection is an idea that was stimulated when I read the original words. All selections are from the New Revised Standard Version of the Bible. For the Daily Lectionary, see the link below.

When Christ's Soul Was Deeply Troubled--Apr. 1, 2015


When your soul was deeply troubled,
Lord Jesus, you did not waver;
your heart took courage,
and you stood firm,
a tree planted by water,
sending out roots by the stream.
Christ, make us strong, rooted like you.

Lectionary Readings
Ps. 5; 147:1-11; 27; 51
Jer. 17:5-10, 14-18
Phil. 4:1-13
John 12:27-36

Selected Verses
Ps. 27:14
Wait for the LORD;
          be strong, and let your heart take courage;
          wait for the LORD!

Jer. 17:8a
[Those who trust in the LORD] shall be like a tree planted by water,
          sending out its roots by the stream. 

Phil. 4:1
Therefore, my brothers and sisters, whom I love and long for, my joy and crown, stand firm in the Lord in this way, my beloved.

John 12:27
“Now my soul is troubled.  And what should I say--‘Father, save me from this hour’?  No, it is for this reason that I have come to this hour.  …"  [Jesus, with a crowd standing before him]

Posted by Elmer E. Ewing

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