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.

At the Thunder of Your Cataracts--Aug. 14, 2012



O Jesus, the one who was sent by God
and who gives the Spirit without measure,
you come to us and call to what is deep in us.

Lord, as your waves and your billows go over us,
we dare not ask you where you come from,
dare not ask what is your plan for us
(the thunders of your cataracts
are too awe-inspiring);
we only ask to be
part of your
plan.

Lectionary Readings
Ps. 42; 146; 102; 133
Judg. 13:1-15
Acts 5:27-42
John 3:22-36

Selected Verses
Ps. 42:7
Deep calls to deep
      at the thunder of your cataracts;
all your waves and your billows
      have gone over me.

Judg. 13:6
Then the woman came and told her husband, "A man of God came to me, and his appearance was like that of an angel of God, most awe-inspiring; I did not ask him where he came from, and he did not tell me his name…"

Acts 5:38-39a

"…So in the present case, I tell you, keep away from these men and let them alone; because if this plan or this undertaking is of human origin, it will fail; but if it is of God, you will not be able to overthrow them--in that case you may even be found fighting against God!" [Gamaliel to the high priest and the council, speaking of Peter and the apostles]

John 3:34

"…He whom God has sent speaks the words of God, for he gives the Spirit without measure. …" [John the Baptist to his disciples]

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