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.

Why So Bitterly?--Feb. 22, 2011


We know that you are not only God of compassion, but also of justice.
Why, then, do you sometimes deal with us so bitterly?

Can it be true that in Christ, every one of your promises is a “Yes”?
My faith is small; I do not always recognize the positive.

Albeit, with whatever faith I have, let my light shine before others,
so that your name may be glorified, O God of compassion.


Lectionary Readings
Ps. 54; 146; 28; 99
Ruth 1:15-22
2 Cor. 1:12-22
Matt. 5:13-20

Selected Verses
Ps. 99:4
Mighty King, lover of justice,
      you have established equity;
you have executed justice
      and righteousness in Jacob.

Ruth 1:20
[Naomi] said to [the women of Bethlehem],
      “Call me no longer Naomi,
            call me Mara,
            for the Almighty has dealt bitterly with me. …”

2 Cor. 1:20a
For in [Jesus Christ] every one of God’s promises is a “Yes.”

Matt. 5:16
“…In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father in heaven. …” [Jesus to the crowds]
Posted by Elmer E. Ewing

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