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 Pain of Being Ignored--July 4, 2011

It is painful when those who should
be with us ignore us or do not believe in us.
Saul must have been grateful for Barnabas' support.

God, it is difficult not to be angry with you when we
consider the forgotten needy and their perishing hope.
We cry to you over them--it hurts to hear no answer.

Lord Jesus, crowds came to enjoy the spectacle of your
execution; but they went home beating their breasts.
You know the pain of crying out, with no answer.

Lectionary Readings
Ps. 62; 145; 73; 9
1 Sam. 15:1-3; 7-23
Acts 9:19b-31
Luke 23:44-56a

Selected Verses
Ps. 9:18
For the needy shall not always be forgotten,
      nor the hope of the poor perish forever.

1 Sam. 15:10-11
The word of the LORD came to Samuel: “I regret that I made Saul king, for he has turned back from following me, and has not carried out my commands.” Samuel was angry; and he cried out to the LORD all night.

Acts 9:26-27
When [Saul] had come to Jerusalem, he attempted to join the disciples; and they were all afraid of him, for they did not believe that he was a disciple. But Barnabas took him, brought him to the apostles, and described for them how on the road he had seen the Lord, who had spoken to him, and how in Damascus he had spoken boldly in the name of Jesus.

Luke 23:48
And when all the crowds who had gathered [at the crucifixion] for this spectacle saw what had taken place, they returned home, beating their breasts.
Posted by Elmer E. Ewing

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