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.

Hidden from Our Eyes?--March 20, 2016

From April 1, 2012 archive] 

Lord Jesus, as you come near to our nation
you must be weeping over us, saying,
"If only you could recognize the
things that make for peace."

You had the courage to make
the good confession before Pilate.
Is peacemaking hidden from our eyes;
are we prisoners without hope or courage?

O God, you give life to all things;
return to us, make us strong,
and let your steadfast
love surround us.

Lectionary Readings
Ps. 84; 150; 42; 32
Zech. 9:9-12
1 Tim. 6:12-16
Luke 19:41-48

Selected Verses
Ps. 32:10
Many are the torments of the wicked,
          but steadfast love surrounds those who trust in the LORD.

Zech. 9:12
Return to your stronghold, O prisoners of hope; today I declare that I will restore to you double.

1 Tim. 6:13
In the presence of God, who gives life to all things, and of Christ Jesus, who in his testimony before Pontius Pilate made the good confession, I charge you…

Luke 19:41-42
As [Jesus] came near and saw [Jerusalem], he wept over it, saying, "If you, even you, had only recognized on this day the things that make for peace!  But now they are hidden from your eyes."

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