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.

Memories of Sorrows--August 10, 2010


I. Readings
Psalms 42, 146, 102, 133
Judges 13:1-15
Acts 5:27-42
John 3:22-36

II. Selections
Psalm 42:7
Deep calls to deep
      at the thunder of your cataracts;
all your waves and your billows
      have gone over me.

Judges 13:8
Then Manoah entreated the LORD, and said, “O, LORD, I pray, let the man of God whom you sent come to us again and teach us what we are to do concerning the boy who will be born.”

Acts 5:31
God exalted him at his right hand as Leader and Savior that he might give repentance to Israel and forgiveness of sins.

John 3:29-30
“…He who has the bride is the bridegroom. The friend of the bridegroom, who stands and hears him, rejoices greatly at the bridegroom’s voice. For this reason my joy has been fulfilled. He must increase, but I must decrease.” [John the Baptist to his disciples]

III. Meditation

Memories of sorrows we have endured
thunder over us like cataracts in a canyon;
how many heartaches we have known!

Yet you have given us reason for joy—
we have heard the voice of the bridegroom.
You have exalted him as Leader and Savior,
that he might give repentance and forgiveness.

Manoah wanted to learn more about
what the man of God had to teach him.
Make us eager to know more about
the teachings of the one you sent to us.
Posted by Elmer E. Ewing

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