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, 2007

I. Readings
Psalms 51, 65, 142
Isaiah 61:1-9
2 Timothy 3:1-17
Mark 10:32-45

II. Selections
Psalm 142:4
Look on my right hand and see-
there is no one who takes notice of me;
no refuge remains to me;
no one cares for me.

Isaiah 61:1b
...[ the LORD] has sent me to bring good news to the oppressed,
to bind up the brokenhearted,
to proclaim liberty to the captives,
and release to the prisoners ...

2 Timothy 3:12
Indeed, all who want to live a Godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted.

Mark 10:34
" ...[ the Gentiles] will mock [ the Son of Man], and spit upon him, and flog him, and kill him; and after three days he will rise again." [ Jesus to his disciples]

III. Meditation: Persecution

What happened? You were sent to bring good news
to the oppressed and bind up the brokenhearted;
proclaim liberty to captives, release to prisoners.

Yet there was no one to take notice of you-
no one to care for you, no refuge for you;
you were mocked and spat upon, flogged and killed.

Then will not persecution be the fate of those
who want to live a Godly life in you?
Will they rise again with you?

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