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.

April 26, 2006

I. Readings
Psalms 9, 99, 118
Exodus 15:22-16:10
1 Peter 2:1-10
John 15:1-11

II. Selections
Psalm 9:9
The LORD is a stronghold for the oppressed,
a stronghold in times of trouble.

Exodus 16:9
Then Moses said to Aaron, "Say to the whole congregation of the Israelites, 'Draw near to the LORD, for he has heard your complaining.' "

1 Peter 2:5
...like living stones, let yourselves be built into a spiritual house, to be a holy priesthood, to offer spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ.

John 15:5
I am the vine, you are the branches. Those who abide in me and I in them bear much fruit, because apart from me you can do nothing.

III. Meditation: Draw near
You are a stronghold for the oppressed,
a stronghold in times of trouble;
but instead of complaining about our trouble
we must draw near to you.

Nearer than a house to its building stones,
nearer than a vine to its branches,
draw near to us;
apart from you we do nothing but complain.

Posted by Elmer E. Ewing

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