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.


A Sign and a Reminder--April 12, 2012



As we have borne the image of the man of dust,
we know we will bear the image of the man of heaven
(and he is with us always, even to the end of the age);
but we are weak, and it is difficult to remember.

With a strong hand you brought us out of Egypt;
give us a sign on our hand, a reminder on our forehead,
dear Lord, so your teaching may be always on our lips;
and daily bear us up, great God of our salvation.

Lectionary Readings
Ps. 47; 147:12-20; 68; 113
Exod. 13:3-10
1 Cor. 15:41-50
Matt. 28:16-20

Selected Verses
Ps. 68:19
Blessed be the Lord,
      who daily bears us up;
      God is our salvation.      Selah

Exod. 13:9
"…[Unleavened bread] shall serve for you as a sign on your hand and as a reminder on your forehead, so that the teaching of the LORD may be on your lips; for with a strong hand the LORD brought you out of Egypt. …" [Moses to the people]

1 Cor. 15:49
Just as we have borne the image of the man of dust, we will also bear the image of the man of heaven.

Matt. 28:20b
"…And remember, I am with you always, to the end of the age." [Jesus to the eleven disciples]

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