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.

February 09, 2006

I. Readings
Psalms 16, 62, 97
Genesis 27:30-45
Romans 12:9-21
John 8:21-32

II. Selections
Psalm 97:12
Rejoice in the LORD, O you righteous,
and give thanks to his holy name!

Genesis 27:34
When Esau heard his father's words, he cried out with an exceedingly great and bitter cry, and said to his father, "Bless me, me also, father!"

Romans 12:12
Rejoice in hope, be patient in suffering, persevere in prayer.

John 8:28
So Jesus said, "When you have lifted up the Son of Man, then you will realize that I am he, and that I do nothing on my own, but I speak these things as the Father instructed me.

III. Meditation: With a great and bitter cry
In a day of dashed hope,
with an exceedingly great and bitter cry,
Esau cried to his father
and pleaded for a blessing.

Teach us to rejoice in hope,
to be patient in suffering,
to persevere in prayer,
that we may speak and do as you instruct.

We rejoice in you, O God,
a source of hope
that cannot be extinguished.
We give thanks to your holy name.

Posted by Elmer E. Ewing

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