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.

July 06, 2007

I. Readings
Psalms 6, 20, 88
1 Samuel 13:19-14:15
Acts 9:1-9
Luke 23:26-31

II. Selections
Psalm 20:1
The LORD answer you in the day of trouble!
The name of the God of Jacob protect you!

1 Samuel 14:15
There was a panic in the [ Philistine] camp, in the field, and among all the people; the garrison and even the raiders trembled; the earth quaked; and it became a very great panic.

Acts 9:8
Saul got up from the ground, and though his eyes were open, he could see nothing; so they led him by the hand and brought him into Damascus.

Luke 23:27
A great number of the people followed [ Jesus], and among them were women who were beating their breasts and wailing for him.

III. Meditation: In the day of trouble

In the day of trouble, when there is great panic-
in the camp, in the field, among all the people;
when everyone trembles, the earth quakes-
O God of Jacob, answer us, protect us.

When we have been struck to the ground
and see nothing, though our eyes are open,
lead us by the hand and bring us to Damascus.
(Though compared to Jesus' trouble, ours is small.)

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