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.

March 04, 2010

Restoration

I. Readings
Psalms 27, 147:12-20, 126, 102
Genesis 42:29-38
1 Corinthians 6:12-20
Mark 4:21-34

II. Selections
Psalm 126:4
Restore our fortunes, O LORD,
like the watercourses in the Negeb.

Genesis 42:35a
As [Joseph’s brothers] were emptying their sacks, there in each one’s sack was his bag of money.

1 Corinthians 6:14
And God raised the Lord and will also raise us by his power.

Mark 4:25
“…For to those who have, more will be given; and from those who have nothing, even what they have will be taken away.” [Jesus to his twelve disciples]

III. Meditation

God of all abundance,
you raised our Lord Jesus;
also raise us by your power.

As rains restore dry watercourses
to rushing torrents, restore our lives.

As Joseph’s brothers discovered all
their money hidden in their grain sacks,
you return to us what we have given you.

It is only when we refuse to receive more
that we lose the little faith we have.
Posted by Elmer E. Ewing

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