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 05, 2007

I. Readings
Psalms 6, 119:73-80, 121, 145
Jeremiah 1:11-19
Romans 1:1-15
John 4:27-42

II. Selections
Psalm 6:3
My soul also is struck with terror,
while you, O LORD-how long?

Jeremiah 1:18-19
And I for my part have made you today a fortified city, an iron pillar, and a bronze wall, against the whole land-against the kings of Judah, its princes, its priests, and the people of the land. They will fight against you; but they shall not prevail against you, for I am with you, says the LORD, to deliver you.

Romans 1:7
To all God's beloved in Rome, who are called to be saints:
Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.

John 4:38
" ...I sent you to reap that for which you did not labor. Others have labored, and you have entered into their labor." [ Jesus to the disciples]

III. Meditation: Called to enter into your labor

We pray for all those whom you have called to do your labor.
Many have been called, and now others are called to enter
into what has been done already. Fortify, protect them;
make them strong like iron pillars, like bronze walls.

Deliver them from the powers aligned to fight
against your work, lest the powers prevail.
When their souls are struck with terror,
with grace and peace deliver them.

And help us to consider-
are not we called, too?

Posted by Elmer E. Ewing

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