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 05, 2008

I. Readings
Psalms 23, 92, 114
Exodus 17:1-16
1 Peter 4:7-19
John 16:16-33

II. Selections
Psalm 23:5
You prepare a table before me
in the presence of my enemies;
you anoint my head with oil;
my cup overflows.

Exodus 17:7
[ Moses] called the place Massah and Meribah, because the Israelites quarreled and tested the LORD, saying, "Is the LORD among us or not?"

1 Peter 4:13
But rejoice insofar as you are sharing Christ's sufferings, so that you may also be glad and shout for joy when his glory is revealed.

John 16:22
" ...So you have pain now; but I will see you again, and your hearts will rejoice, and no one will take your joy from you. ... " [ Jesus to the eleven]

III. Meditation: Which promise?

Are you with us or not, God?
We are surrounded by enemies;
Don't you see them? If you do,
why this pain? You promised;
now prepare the table for us;
anoint us with abundant oil.

Or is it your other promise-
that though we have pain now,
we will see you again, and then
we will be glad, shout for joy,
if we share your sufferings-
which promise do you mean?

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