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 30, 2007

I. Readings
Psalms 47, 57, 85
2 Samuel 2:1-11
Acts 15:36-16:5
Mark 6:14-29

II. Selections
Psalm 57:7-8a
My heart is steadfast, O God,
my heart is steadfast.
I will sing and make melody.
Awake, my soul!

2 Samuel 2:7
" ...Therefore let your hands be strong, and be valiant; for Saul your lord is dead, and the house of Judah has anointed me king over them." [ David to the people of Jabesh-gilead, who had buried King Saul]

Acts 15:39
The disagreement [ between Paul and Barnabas] became so sharp that they parted company; Barnabas took Mark with him and sailed away to Cyprus.

Mark 6:19-20a
And Herodias had a grudge against [ John the Baptist], and wanted to kill him. But she could not, for Herod feared John, knowing that he was a righteous and holy man, and he protected him.

III. Meditation: In time of sorrow

It is wrong to hold a grudge against a righteous person;
it is wrong when your followers quarrel with one another-
when quarrels lead to fighting and death, terribly wrong.

Make us valiant, our hands strong, in time of sorrow;
awaken our souls, make our hearts steadfast for you,
that we may make melody and sing your praise, O God.

Posted by Elmer E. Ewing

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