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.

The Cup of Wrath--Apr. 12, 2011


There are many, far too many, in this world
who must take the cup of wrath and drink from it:

AIDS victims and their orphans; the starving;
drug addicts; those in the slaughter of war.

How can all these who suffer put their trust in you
while their enemies are exulting over them?

I pray you, be generous to all who call on you.
Listen to those who worship you and obey your will;
but listen to the sinners, too; for I am a sinner.


Lectionary Readings
Ps. 36; 146; 25; 91
Jer. 25:8-17
Rom. 10:1-13
John 9:18-41

Selected Verses
Ps. 25:2
O my God, in you I trust;
      do not let me be put to shame;
      do not let my enemies exult over me.

Jer. 25:15
For thus the LORD, the God of Israel, said to me: Take from my hand this cup of the wine of wrath, and make all the nations to whom I send you drink it.

Rom. 10:12
For there is no distinction between Jew and Greek; the same Lord is Lord of all and is generous to all who call on him.

John 9:31
“…We know that God does not listen to sinners, but he does listen to one who worships him and obeys his will. …” [The man who had been born blind, whom Jesus healed, arguing with those who did not believe he had been blind]
Posted by Elmer E. Ewing

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