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.

January 31, 2006

I. Readings
Psalms 7, 12, 36
Genesis 21:1-21
Hebrews 11:13-22
John 6:41-51

II. Selections
Psalm 7:17
I will give to the LORD the thanks due to his righteousness,
and sing praise to the name of the LORD, the Most High.

Genesis 21:17
And God heard the voice of the boy; and the angel of God called to Hagar from heaven, and said to her, "What troubles you, Hagar? Do not be afraid; for God has heard the voice of the boy where he is. ..."

Hebrews 11:13b-14
They confessed that they were strangers and foreigners on the earth, for people who speak in this way make it clear that they are seeking a homeland.

John 6:42a
They were saying, "Is this not this Jesus, the son of Joseph, whose father and mother we know? ..."

III. Meditation: Where we are
We confess that we are strangers
and foreigners on the earth,
people seeking a homeland,
confused about who we are.

Sometimes even confused about who Jesus is.
But why should we be troubled or afraid?
You hear the voice of those you love
where they are.

We give you the thanks
due to your righteousness,
and sing praise to your name,
O God Most High.

Posted by Elmer E. Ewing

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