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.


With Holy Spirit and Fire--April 24, 2012



Baptized with Holy Spirit and fire,
through fire and through water,
yet borne on eagles' wings
onto a spacious place
to be with you.

To be with you,
fully pleasing to you,
to bear fruit in good work,
to lead lives worthy of our Lord,
and to grow in the knowledge of you.

Lectionary Readings
Ps. 98; 146; 66; 116
Exod. 19:1-16
Col. 1:1-14
Matt. 3:7-12

Selected Verses
Ps. 66:12
…you let people ride over our heads;
      we went through fire and through water;
yet you have brought us out to a spacious place.

Exod. 19:4
"…You have seen what I did to the Egyptians, and how I bore you on eagles' wings and brought you to myself. …" [The LORD to Moses]

Col. 1:10
…so that you may lead lives worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing to him, as you bear fruit in every good work and as you grow in the knowledge of God.

Matt. 3:11b
"[One coming after me] will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire. …" [John the Baptizer to the Pharisees and Sadducees]
Posted by Elmer E. Ewing

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