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.

A Refuge for Refugees--Feb. 19, 2017


Lord Jesus, there is no question about your love;
you laid down your life for your sheep.
Be with us as we try to love refugees,
who are in particular need of love.
Comfort them, as a mother comforts her child;
be their refuge and strength, a very
present help in trouble.  And
show us how to help.

Lectionary Readings
Ps. 67; 150; 46; 93
Isa. 66:7-14
1 John 3:4-10
John 10:7-16

Selected Verses
Ps. 46:1
God is our refuge and strength,
          a very present help in trouble. 

Isa. 66:13
As a mother comforts her child,
          so I will comfort you;
          you shall be comforted in Jerusalem.

1 John 3:10
The children of God and the children of the devil are revealed in this way: all who do not do what is right are not from God, nor are those who do not love their brothers and sisters.

John 10:14-15
"…I am the good shepherd.  I know my own and my own know me, just as the Father knows me and I know the Father.  And I lay down my life for the sheep.  …" [Jesus to the Pharisees]

Posted by Elmer E. Ewing

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