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 We Are Overwhelmed--June 1, 2016


Forgiving God, for everything there is a season,
but when deeds of iniquity overwhelm us, it is hard.
Whether the iniquity is attributable to another or to
ourselves, we can be tested to the breaking point.

It helps us to know that when we are at fault,
you forgive our transgressions.  Teach us
to live by faith in Jesus, who loved us
and who gave himself for us.

Lectionary Readings
Ps. 65; 147:1-11; 125; 91
Eccl. 3:1-15
Gal. 2:11-21
Matt. 14:1-12
       
Selected Verses
Ps. 65:3
When deeds of iniquity overwhelm us,
          you forgive our transgressions. 

Eccl. 3:1, 4
For everything there is a season, and a time for every matter under heaven:
… a time to weep, and a time to laugh; a time to mourn, and a time to dance…

Gal. 2:20
And the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.

Matt. 14:12
[John the Baptist's] disciples came and took [his] body and buried it; then they went and told Jesus.
Posted by Elmer E. Ewing

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