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.

March 31, 2006

I. Readings
Psalms 22, 105, 130
Exodus 2:1-22
1 Corinthians 12:27-13:3
Mark 9:2-13

II. Selections
Psalm 130:7
O Israel, hope in the LORD!
For with the LORD there is steadfast love,
and with him is great power to redeem.

Exodus 2:14b
Then Moses was afraid and thought, "Surely the thing is known."

1 Corinthians 13:2
And if I have prophetic powers, and understand all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have all faith, so as to remove mountains, but do not have love, I am nothing.

Mark 9:6-7
[ Peter] did not know what to say, for they were terrified. Then a cloud overshadowed them, and from the cloud there came a voice, "This is my Son, the Beloved; listen to him!"

III. Meditation: Redemption from fear
Moses afraid his transgression was known;
Peter and friends too terrified to talk-
we know their feeling of fear.

Yet in our fear we cling to hope,
hope in you, your steadfast love,
and your great power to redeem.

Overshadow our fear with love,
your love and your Beloved,
and we will love and hope.

Posted by Elmer E. Ewing

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