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 19, 2008

I. Readings
Psalms 23, 92, 114
Exodus 40:18-38
1 Thessalonians 4:1-12
Matthew 5:38-48

II. Selections
Psalm 92:4
For you, O LORD, have made me glad by your work;
at the works of your hands I sing for joy.

Exodus 40:34
Then the cloud covered the tent of meeting, and the glory of the LORD filled the tabernacle.

1 Thessalonians 4:11
...to aspire to live quietly, to mind your own affairs, and to work with your hands, as we directed you ...

Matthew 5:44-45
" ...But I say to you, Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, so that you may be children of your Father in heaven; for he makes the sun rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the righteous and on the unrighteous. ..." [ Jesus, seated on the mountain, speaking to the crowds]

III. Meditation: Your work and ours

O God, you have made us glad by your work;
at the works of your hands we sing for joy.

You make the sun rise on the evil and on the good,
send rain on the righteous and on the unrighteous.

As the cloud covered the tent of meeting and
your glory filled the tabernacle, fill us with love.

Teach us to love our enemies and pray for those
who persecute us, that we may be your children.

Help us as we aspire to live quietly, to mind our
own affairs, and to work with our hands for you.

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