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.

February 27, 2010

Things Hidden in Darkness

I. Readings
Psalms 43, 149, 31, 143
Genesis 41:1-13
1 Corinthians 4:1-7
Mark 2:23-3:6

II. Selections
Psalm 31:5
Into your hand I commit my spirit;
you have redeemed me, O LORD, faithful God.

Genesis 41:8-9
In the morning [Pharaoh’s] spirit was troubled; so he sent and called for all the magicians of Egypt and all its wise men. Pharaoh told them his dreams, but there was no one who could interpret them to Pharaoh. Then the chief cupbearer said to Pharaoh, “I remember my faults today … ”

1 Corinthians 4:5
Therefore do not pronounce judgment before the time, before the Lord comes, who will bring to light the things now hidden in darkness and will disclose the purposes of the heart. Then each one will receive a commendation from God.

Mark 3:5
[Jesus] looked around at [the Pharisees] in anger; he was grieved at their hardness of heart and said to the man, stretch out your hand.” He stretched it out, and his hand was restored.

III. Meditation

O faithful God, you have redeemed me;
but my spirit is troubled;
I remember my faults today.

You bring to light the things hidden in darkness;
you disclose the purposes of the heart,
and the hardness of my heart must grieve you.

Into your hand I commit my spirit;
I stretch out my hand to you.
O faithful God, restore me.


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